Nov 16 2023
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Strangeways, Here We Come
The Smiths
Quite a mediocre album from my perspective. I never really got into The Smiths aside from their 2 or 3 hits and this album didn’t particularly encourage me to try more.
2
Nov 17 2023
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Paul Simon
Paul Simon
I wasn’t particularly moved by it. Me & Julio is the standout track. I understand it’s a classic but it’s just not my cup of tea
2
Nov 18 2023
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Pretzel Logic
Steely Dan
I recently spun Aja after many, many years, which I was reminded about from a recommendation at r/classicrock. People raved about it there but I didn't personally see the huge appeal, I thought it was good quality background music but not much more than that. I was skeptical coming into Pretzel Logic but I ended up enjoying it much more than Aja. It flowed better and made much more of a sonic impact. I would listen again, and might explore more of Steely Dan in the future.
3
Nov 19 2023
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Five Leaves Left
Nick Drake
The first album along my 1001 journey that I felt a good connection with. I've spun a dozen Nick Drake songs in the past but never really explored his discography. Five Leaves comprises the type of reflective folk music perfect for an autumnal Sunday morning brunch-making session. I connected most with Man In A Shed, its chord progression spoke to me; lyrically you can appreciate Drake's yearning for an unrequited love. It led me to learn more about him and his short life... such a tragedy to lose a talent so young to depression.
4
Nov 20 2023
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London Calling
The Clash
Wikipedia says The Clash was billed as "The Only Band That Matters". Bullshit.
2
Nov 21 2023
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Illmatic
Nas
I'm not a big hip hop fan but I appreciated Illmatic more than I thought I would. I definitely prefer old-school 90's rap compared to what comes out today, the bars of yesteryear seem a lot more genuine. No particular standout track to me, it was quality and consistent the whole way through. I give it 3 stars but more because it's not really my jam; I can imagine a lover of the genre would award it 5 for its mastery. I would listen to Nas again.
3
Nov 22 2023
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Street Life
The Crusaders
If this isn't a smooth introduction to an album, I don't know what is. I instantly knew based on the first 10 seconds leading into Street Life that this was going to be some good stuff!
I'd never heard of The Crusaders before but it left me wanting more. I'm still fairly new into this project but this is for sure my favourite album I've listened to so far.
4
Nov 23 2023
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Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea
PJ Harvey
Alas, no story from either the city or the sea pulled enough at the cockles of my heart to offer a "Wow" moment. PJ Harvey is of course to be respected as a musician and songwriter but her style is just not for me.
2
Nov 24 2023
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Ritual De Lo Habitual
Jane's Addiction
I wasn't struck by the alt-rock vibes initially, but the album took an unexpected turn from track 6 onwards and I began to take notice. A quick Google led me to learn the final 4 tracks were in memoriam of the lead singer's girlfriend who had died of a heroin overdose. Harrowing stuff.
Of Course was the standout track with its Middle Eastern influences. Classic Girl with its acoustic undertones came a close second.
It's tough to rate this one, I feel 2 is too low and 3 is too high. I'm sticking with 2 for the pure fact that their style is not really my cup of tea, but I can absolutely respect the musicianship, songwriting and sentiment behind this record.
2
Nov 25 2023
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The Bends
Radiohead
Radiohead is a band that, for some reason, I've largely ignored over the years. Looking over my Last.FM profile, I've only ever spun 5 tracks from The Bends over the past decade, never the full album.
I was impressed by its two strong openers, Planet Telex and the title track, leading me nicely into a state of sonic familiarity with High and Dry and Fake Plastic Trees, both of which I enjoy and are true 90's classics. From here on, I was engaged and invested. I relished in this album more than I thought I would. A solid 4/5.
4
Nov 26 2023
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Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
This collection of songs would have been lifechanging to hear in 1957. I can't imagine the shock of hearing Little Richard's ferocity against the clean-cut stars of the times - the polished harmonies of the Everly Brothers or the baritone of Perry Como. It's dated by today's standards but altogether an interesting step back to one of the original rock & rollers.
I watched an interview with Jimmy Barnes recently where he claimed Little Richard was one of his strongest musical influences as he grew up. Indeed, while listening to Here's Little Richard, it stuck me how Barnesy ended up with the vocal style he's so well known for today.
3
Nov 27 2023
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A Little Deeper
Ms. Dynamite
I'm sorry, Ms. Dynamite, I see you won the Mercury Music Prize for this album, but alas, this style of music is simply not compatible with my eardrums
1
Nov 28 2023
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Sunday At The Village Vanguard
Bill Evans Trio
A very smooth and highly listenable live recording. I learnt that the bassist on this album, Scott LaFaro, was one of the most influential jazz bassists of all time, who sadly died in a car accident 11 days after the concert. I’ll be listening to more Bill Evans in the future for sure.
4
Nov 29 2023
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Teen Dream
Beach House
I saw one track by Beach House, Space Song (from a different album), is approaching 1 billion streams on Spotify, so I thought I'd be in for something relatively mindblowing. In reality, I thought Teen Dream was decent, chill background music, with no particular standout track or impactful moment. I wouldn't give it a second spin.
2
Nov 30 2023
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Pelican West
Haircut 100
Some good 80's British pop/funk going on here. Lemon Firebrigade was the standout track, my ears pricked up at the timbre of this instrumental. I won't give the album a repeat spin but wouldn't complain hearing a couple of tracks here & there. It's just getting over the line for a 3 star score.
3
Dec 01 2023
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OK
Talvin Singh
This is great!! The first track, Traveller, was a curious introduction. The following piece, Butterfly, really made my ears stand to attention; I remained delighted throughout. OK is well-deserving of the 1999 Mercury Music Prize. Talvin Singh was a true breath of fresh air with his contemporary Indian / drum & bass fusion. A wonderful discovery via this project.
4
Dec 02 2023
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Seventeen Seconds
The Cure
The Cure is not for me. There was very little about Seventeen Seconds that appealed to me. Even the most popular track, A Forest, barely raised an eyebrow. Next.
2
Dec 03 2023
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Rio
Duran Duran
I’ve had a few 80’s classics so far along this journey and haven’t really enjoyed them; I was guessing I’d feel the same about Rio but I was pleasantly surprised. I was familiar with Hungry Like The Wolf and the title track, and was happy that the remaining tunes were of similar quality and not just filler material. Probably won’t spin it again in a hurry but it was decent while it lasted.
3
Dec 04 2023
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1999
Prince
Never listened to a Prince album in full before. Dude was talented beyond belief, without any question of a doubt, but I can’t personally get into him. 1999 was alright.
3
Dec 05 2023
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Dirt
Alice In Chains
Decent grunge record which I'd never listened to in full before. Consistent from start to finish. Grunge is not my favourite genre but I can understand its appeal.
3
Dec 06 2023
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Electric Prunes
The Electric Prunes
Despite being such an influential act from the 60's, I somehow missed the Electric Prunes up until now, and I would have been perfectly content to have continued missing them. Didn't care for this album at all.
2
Dec 07 2023
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Follow The Leader
Korn
I remember being exposed to Koᴙn in my early high school years and hating them with a passion. I've widened my musical tastes since then and can tolerate them more these days, even tapping my feet to Got The Life out of familiarity. Follow The Leader wasn't as awful as I recall from 25 years ago but it's still too heavy and obnoxious for my overall liking.
2
Dec 08 2023
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Tom Tom Club
Tom Tom Club
The typewriters that opened Wordy Rappinghood may have caught my attention but this Talking Heads side project didn't win me over.
2
Dec 09 2023
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The Downward Spiral
Nine Inch Nails
Noisy and irritating. Some familiarity with Closer and Hurt but I wasn't touched by any others.
2
Dec 10 2023
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Dig Me Out
Sleater-Kinney
Nothing remarkable here, although I can see where Australian band, The Grates, got their influence from
2
Dec 11 2023
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Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Immediately before rating my previous album I thought to myself "It'd be nice to get Tom Petty" - imagine my shock when his debut appeared on my screen. And a solid debut it was.
3
Dec 12 2023
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Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock
This is music of a true genius. I loved the barbaric Rhodes solo on Chameleon. The intro to Watermelon Man stunned me, even more so after learning it's the noise of Bill Summers blowing air into beer bottles. Great stuff.
4
Dec 13 2023
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Sunshine Superman
Donovan
I remember dad listening to Donovan when I was a kid so I was expecting some nostalgic feels, but I didn't dig Sunshine Superman as much as I thought I would.
2
Dec 14 2023
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Suicide
Suicide
Awful. Would never listen to this again
1
Dec 15 2023
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Unhalfbricking
Fairport Convention
Uninspiring
2
Dec 16 2023
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All Things Must Pass
George Harrison
I went into All Things Must Pass anticipating a 4 or perhaps even the coveted 5 star rating, but I was disappointed it didn’t give me those kind of feels. It’s more a reluctant 3 in my opinion. The singles are phenomenal but the remaining tracks, most of which I was unfamiliar with, didn’t have the same pulling power.
3
Dec 17 2023
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Back To Black
Amy Winehouse
Clearly one of the greatest soul vocalists of our generation. This album can do no wrong. Only God knows the songs Amy would have continued to sing, had she been able to battle her demons.
4
Dec 18 2023
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Another Music In A Different Kitchen
Buzzcocks
Garbage to my ears. The most aggravating album I’ve listened to so far through this project.
1
Dec 19 2023
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There's No Place Like America Today
Curtis Mayfield
I've somehow avoided listening to any Curtis Mayfield since I started recording my stats on Last.FM 11 years ago; it was much to my delight to discover him today. Billy Jack was a pleasantly funky way to start my Monday. The sweetness of So In Love made its way onto my playlist. Although not a genre I'd listen to every day, I give this a strong 3/5 and would be happy for another Mayfield record to appear in the list.
3
Dec 20 2023
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Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival
A classic. Enjoyed this Creedence collection, especially the tracks you don't hear so much on FM Radio, like The Night Time Is The Right Time.
3
Dec 21 2023
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Franz Ferdinand
Franz Ferdinand
This is some well-seasoned rock. Franz Ferdinand have a magical ability to structure their songs in a way that's genuinely interesting - these aren't just 3-chord throwaways.
3
Dec 22 2023
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When I Was Born For The 7th Time
Cornershop
Loved the accordion opening, a pretty solid record all round
3
Dec 23 2023
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Blackstar
David Bowie
A quality lineup of songs with extremely good production. I was drawn to the drums through the course of this album, they sounded crisp, tight and interesting.
3
Dec 24 2023
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Destroy Rock & Roll
Mylo
I went into this with all the skepticism thinking it's going to be some kind of dance music BS which I won't enjoy, but I was very wrong. I loved it and was engaged the whole way. Crazy that this is his only album.
4
Dec 25 2023
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Teenage Head
Flamin' Groovies
Standard 70's blues/rock, nothing special here
2
Dec 26 2023
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A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector
Various Artists
Pure class, from the mere inclusion of Darlene Lowe’s Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
3
Dec 27 2023
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Slanted And Enchanted
Pavement
Nah, not for me.
2
Dec 28 2023
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Bat Out Of Hell
Meat Loaf
One of the all-time classics. I'll never tire of listening to Bat Out Of Hell. RIP Meat Loaf.
5
Dec 29 2023
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The Colour Of Spring
Talk Talk
Very typical 80's British new-wave, not a genre I particularly enjoy and I didn't think there was a standout track. Life's What You Make It is clearly the most popular from the album but it didn't do anything for me.
2
Dec 30 2023
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Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul
Otis Redding
So many soul classics here. A smooth and nostalgic listening experience
3
Dec 31 2023
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The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter
The Incredible String Band
Pure hippie tripe. The abstract hilarity behind lyrics such as “he can't dream well because of his horns” followed by a choir of moos was not enough to redeem itself from a single star. Awful.
1
Jan 01 2024
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The Modern Lovers
The Modern Lovers
I see The Modern Lovers were a band of all-stars who went on to form the likes of Talking Heads and The Cars, and this collection of numbers was very well critically acclaimed at the time, but it sounded bland and forgettable to me. Not sure why such hype.
2
Jan 02 2024
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Straight Outta Compton
N.W.A.
I have a a few words to say about this. Rap / hip-hop isn't something I've ever been into but part of the reason I went into this project was to gain exposure to the best artists of these genres I'd normally avoid. I've had an album by Nas already, which I thought was half-decent, and I'd heard that N.W.A. were the real deal, so I was kinda pumped to spin Straight Outta Compton.
I set out on a 12km walk around town with AirPods in ear and openness in my mind, but it was barely a kilometre and three songs before I audibly laughed at its thematic ridiculousness:
"Dumb-ass hooker ain't nuttin' but a dyke
Suddenly I see, some n****s that I don't like
Walked over to em, and said, "Whassup?"
The first n**** that I saw, hit em in the jaw"
Another laugh came later on in the record:
"I think with my ding-a-ling, but I won't bring no
Flowers to your doorstep, when we goin' out
'Cause you'll take it for granted, no doubt
And after the date, I'ma want to do the wild thing
You want lobster, huh? I'm thinking Burger King"
I need to make it clear that my laughter was not out of humour, rather at just how foreign, incelious and absurd these concepts are to me.
I get that this album tells the story of a lifestyle completely alien to that of my own; it holds historical and cultural significance with this in mind. But honestly, to my ears, N.W.A. sound like wannabe gangsters masquerading as a comedy sextet.
1
Jan 03 2024
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Rage Against The Machine
Rage Against The Machine
Quite an aggressive collection of tunes. Not my jam.
2
Jan 04 2024
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Life Thru A Lens
Robbie Williams
I'm a big fan of Robbie but this is one of his weaker records. Of course it's adorned by his beloved Angels; aside from a handful of other minor hits I hear a fair amount of filler. Still a very worthwhile play though.
3
Jan 05 2024
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Talking Timbuktu
Ali Farka Touré
Chill African blues tunes, some quality chops here, perfect with a whisky on Sunday evening
3
Jan 06 2024
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Bookends
Simon & Garfunkel
For such a well-known, classic album by one of the all-time greatest musical duos, I didn't rate Bookends at all. It's certainly not bad but it didn't move me in any way.
2
Jan 07 2024
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GREY Area
Little Simz
The last rap album I got here was god awful so I went into Grey Area with heavy skepticism, but you know what, it turned out to be pretty damn good. Little Simz is the standout rapper along this project so far.
3
Jan 08 2024
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Talking Book
Stevie Wonder
Good easy listening soul. Not enough synthesizer.
3
Jan 09 2024
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The Queen Is Dead
The Smiths
I was impressed with the stark contrasts between songs on this album while all still retaining distinct Smiths-like characteristics. For example, the desperation of The Queen Is Dead compared with the upbeat, slightly comical Frankly Mr. Shankly. This was my second Smiths record and it's certainly the better of the two.
3
Jan 10 2024
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A Short Album About Love
The Divine Comedy
Decent music but nothing too inspirational aside from the guitar line in I'm All You Need which captured my attention.
3
Jan 11 2024
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Destroyer
KISS
I forgot how great a song Shout It Out Loud was
3
Jan 12 2024
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Ambient 1/Music For Airports
Brian Eno
Definitely suitable for airports
2
Jan 13 2024
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Madman Across The Water
Elton John
I really liked the second track, Levon, I haven’t paid much attention to that song in the past.
3
Jan 14 2024
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Rust In Peace
Megadeth
Toi aggressive for my liking but had some good old school metal vibes
2
Jan 15 2024
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Catch A Fire
Bob Marley & The Wailers
Not so many smash hits on this one. Stir It Up was the only song I recognized. I thought it was quite a weak record.
2
Jan 16 2024
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Beggars Banquet
The Rolling Stones
Bonus point for incredible cover art
3
Jan 17 2024
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The Boatman's Call
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I have fond memories of Into My Arms from my teenage years but I never heard it as part of its full collection until yesterday. A wonderful, beautifully melancholic journey.
4
Jan 18 2024
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Vanishing Point
Primal Scream
A bit too much noise which I wasn’t particularly fond of
2
Jan 19 2024
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Power In Numbers
Jurassic 5
Ok to spin in the background, not for me as a main event
2
Jan 20 2024
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Elephant
The White Stripes
No surprises here. I’m familiar with the White Stripes’ biggest songs, and this collection sounds exactly what I thought a White Stripes album would sound like.
3
Jan 21 2024
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Toys In The Attic
Aerosmith
I prefer 90’s Aerosmith to 70’s Aerosmith. It was a decent rock album worthy of three stars but it didn’t fully engage me. Sweet Emotion is the standout track.
3
Jan 22 2024
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Mr. Tambourine Man
The Byrds
A good exercise in consistency, there is an incredibly similar tone between all songs
3
Jan 23 2024
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Stankonia
OutKast
Not my cup of tea
2
Jan 24 2024
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Guero
Beck
I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this record. I’ve largely avoided Beck, I’ve thought his music not to be particularly interesting and I saw him live once but left unamused. Yet, I fondly recognized two tracks from this album (E-Pro and Girl) which I didn’t even realize were Beck songs. My thoughts on him have changed a bit; maybe I’ll explore more.
3
Jan 25 2024
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Warehouse: Songs And Stories
Hüsker Dü
One or two curious moments but the album felt overall too long and uninteresting
2
Jan 26 2024
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Out of Step
Minor Threat
Supposedly a very influential punk album but all it did for me was reaffirm punk is not suited for my ears
1
Jan 27 2024
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Tapestry
Carole King
Terrific artful poetry, especially satisfying tunes reminiscing yesteryear
4
Jan 28 2024
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Ready To Die
The Notorious B.I.G.
Didn’t enjoy anything about this. It’s not at the bottom of the barrel like NWA are but still an easy 1 star.
1
Jan 29 2024
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Me Against The World
2Pac
I have a really strange relationship with the hip hop albums I’ve been listening to via this project. I hated NWA with a passion and I really didn’t care for Notorious BIG, so I went into 2Pac thinking he’d receive a similar low rating. But I was surprised. The songs here had a certain maturity which I haven’t recognized elsewhere. Dear Mama was the standout track for me, this is the kind of storytelling song I love; probably the first time I’ve connected with such a song in this genre.
3
Jan 30 2024
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Zombie
Fela Kuti
A pretty enjoyable and upbeat jazz record
3
Jan 31 2024
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Wonderful Rainbow
Lightning Bolt
Very noisy but it was arranged in a way that I liked it. I even found it a little meditative
3
Feb 01 2024
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The Beach Boys Today!
The Beach Boys
A true classic. Such rich harmonies. Love it.
4
Feb 02 2024
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Bringing It All Back Home
Bob Dylan
Bobby D is one of those classic artists I’ve never really cared for, but I didn’t mind sitting through the entirety of this album. The closer, It’s All Over Now Baby Blue, was the standout. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the original before.
3
Feb 03 2024
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Violator
Depeche Mode
It was ok but too new wavy for my liking and a bit too long. I enjoyed the instrumentals.
3
Feb 04 2024
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A Date With The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers
An innocent, easy-listening record. Impeccable harmonies. Love Hurts was my pick of the bunch.
3
Feb 05 2024
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On The Beach
Neil Young
The album was a bit hit & miss until Ambulance Blues. Something about that song elevated it from a 2 to 3 star
3
Feb 06 2024
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Different Class
Pulp
Decent alt rock
3
Feb 07 2024
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American Pie
Don McLean
It was my first time listening to the album in full and it was a pleasant, easy-listening experience. Crossroads was a particularly beautiful piece which I wasn't previously familiar with. Of course the title track and Vincent are the standouts, but as nice as the remaining songs were, I wouldn't rush into a repeat listen... having said that, it's a strong 3/5.
3
Feb 08 2024
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Stand!
Sly & The Family Stone
A couple of soul classics here that I had no idea were originally by Sly & The Family Stone
3
Feb 09 2024
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Club Classics Vol. One
Soul II Soul
I can see how this would have been influential in the 80's / 90's R&B scene. It's not a genre I dig very much but I wasn't opposed to this collection of tunes. A soft 3 from me.
3
Feb 10 2024
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Songs In The Key Of Life
Stevie Wonder
Classic 70's soul. I liked it. Sir Duke is a proper jam but overall it went on for a bit too long. A solid 3.
3
Feb 11 2024
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Sheet Music
10cc
Back in the days of Winamp and local MP3 files, 10CC was the first artist that would play on my playlist every time I opened it. I had 6 or 7 of their hits in my collection and grew quite attached to them over the years.
Unfortunately, none of those songs I loved appeared on Sheet Music, which I thought was weak and largely lacklustre.
2
Feb 12 2024
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Group Sex
Circle Jerks
Abhorrent excuse for music which doesn’t deserve to appear on such a list
1
Feb 13 2024
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Rumours
Fleetwood Mac
You don’t get much more perfect than Rumors. If there’s any LP that’s stood the test of time, it’s this one. From the masterful guitar in Never Going Back Again to the foot-stomping joy of Don’t Stop; from the beauty of Songbird to the rich harmonic outro of The Chain, Fleetwood Mac are a true musical blessing to the world.
5
Feb 14 2024
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Pink Flag
Wire
Not as obnoxious as other punk albums this project has cycled through so far, at least there is a semblance of musicality here
2
Feb 15 2024
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Next
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
For a band I've never heard of before I enjoyed this record. Stylistically it's quite varied and kept me interested throughout - no two songs sounded the same. It's on the risqué side; I thought a tune like Gang Bang had the perfect classic rock FM radio sound but the blatant lyrical content would have prevented it from reaching a wide audience. Giddy Up A Ding Dong had a similar catchy vibe. The Faith Healer is their most popular song but to me it was one of the weaker tunes on the album. I considered giving it a 4 but ultimately I wouldn't listen to it again, so I've settled with a strong 3.
3
Feb 16 2024
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If You're Feeling Sinister
Belle & Sebastian
I’ve never been able to get into Belle & Sebastian and this album didn’t help. Bland, whiny and uninspiring.
2
Feb 17 2024
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The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem
I used to hate Eminem with a passion, I couldn’t stand any of these songs when they were first released. But I’ve chilled out these days, I guess through a few decades worth of occasional exposure. I got through Kill You, Stan and The Real Slim Shady without the typical “WTF is this garbage” reaction I became so used to in years gone by, even tapping my feet to some of them. 24 years ago this would have been a sure-fire 1/5 but today it’s grown to a 3.
3
Feb 18 2024
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Copper Blue
Sugar
Who is this band? Why have I never heard of them before? The first track, The Act We Act, was a total banger which went straight onto my playlist. Same with Helpless and If I Can't Change Your Mind. The album in general is full of consistent, listenable 90’s American rock, a genre I’m always open to. It gave me some real Better Than Ezra / Gin Blossoms vibes.
I just learnt Sugar comprises one of the members of Hüsker Dü, another band I’d never heard of until this project. I didn’t care for Hüsker Dü whereas I thought Sugar had a much more refined sound.
I was genuinely surprised how much I enjoyed Copper Blue, especially on first listen. A well-deserved 4/5.
4
Feb 19 2024
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Frank
Amy Winehouse
A good introduction to Amy but not as epic and influential as Back To Black
3
Feb 20 2024
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Led Zeppelin III
Led Zeppelin
I don’t find this to be peak Led Zeppelin but it’s still a noteworthy collection of tunes. Friends was a nice discovery which I wasn't previously familiar with. I appreciated the general acoustic vibe of the record.
3
Feb 21 2024
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Liquid Swords
GZA
A small step above some of the other godawful hip hop I’ve heard here. GZA isn’t for me at all and I’ll never listen to him again, but I at least made it through the record without wanting to throw my device out the window.
2
Feb 22 2024
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Electric
The Cult
Half a star lost for the awful Born To Be Wild cover
3
Feb 23 2024
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Back to Basics
Christina Aguilera
Maybe this album a blessing if you’re a genuine fan of Aguilera but for those of us who aren’t so appreciative of her style, this drags on for far too long. Candyman was alright, but only out of familiarity and its likeness to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. And what the hell is with Thank You (Dedication To Fans)? Such a load of narcissistic BS. Get outa here.
2
Feb 24 2024
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The Soft Bulletin
The Flaming Lips
Listenable, but nothing particularly captured my attention
3
Feb 25 2024
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Searching For The Young Soul Rebels
Dexys Midnight Runners
Extremely meh
2
Feb 26 2024
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The Genius Of Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Classy and elegant but dated
3
Feb 27 2024
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You Want It Darker
Leonard Cohen
LC may be the poet of our generation but personally I found very little appeal to this album. Maybe for other people but not for me
2
Feb 28 2024
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Histoire De Melody Nelson
Serge Gainsbourg
Wow - what striking music I heard from this album. I was immediately taken by the instrumentation, the jive, something about Gainsbourg’s production really impressed me despite not being able to catch much of the meaning. Imagine my shocked face when I eventually looked up the story behind the songs. Conflicting indeed.
3
Feb 29 2024
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Viva Hate
Morrissey
Not a fan of Morrissey’s music in general but I appreciated the line “rejection is one thing but rejection from a fool is cruel”
2
Mar 01 2024
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The Sun Rises In The East
Jeru The Damaja
Not bad. A surprisingly mature sound.
3
Mar 02 2024
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The Chronic
Dr. Dre
This kind of music will never not be awful
1
Mar 03 2024
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Let's Get Killed
David Holmes
I really liked this. Never heard of Holmes before but it was a perfect collection of chill instrumental tunes for a Saturday afternoon walk.
4
Mar 04 2024
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Legalize It
Peter Tosh
A poor-man’s Bob Marley
2
Mar 05 2024
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Bryter Layter
Nick Drake
Another Nick Drake masterpiece. It’s the second of his albums I’ve had here, it hit me in the same way Five Leaves Left did. I really dig this guy.
4
Mar 06 2024
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Black Monk Time
The Monks
I didn’t particularly get into the music, but I thought it had good novelty value, considering it’s one of the first ever examples of punk music. For that, it elevates the rating from a 2 to a 3.
3
Mar 07 2024
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Scum
Napalm Death
I can appreciate from a music discovery perspective that this album made this list, but let's get real, this kind of abrasive, face-melting noise is extremely niche and surely only truly enjoyed by those who grace the lower 1% on the music enjoyment bell curve.
1
Mar 08 2024
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Scissor Sisters
Scissor Sisters
I was a big fan of the Scissor Sisters' hit singles when they first came out in the mid-00's but it's been a long time since I spun a whole album of theirs (if at all?) This was good stuff! Such catchy, upbeat pop. Whatever happened to the Scissor Sisters? Where did they go? I want to hear what a 2024 incarnation of the band would release.
4
Mar 09 2024
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Brilliant Corners
Thelonious Monk
A fine example of an artist I hadn’t had much exposure to in the past, whose discography I would now love to deep-dive into. Brilliant Corners was brilliant indeed. This is exactly why I enjoy the 1001 albums project so much, stumbling across gold like this.
4
Mar 10 2024
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Ellington at Newport
Duke Ellington
I've been on a roll recently, this is the third very good (4/5) album I've had in a row, after a period of mediocrity. I headed out on a chilly early-spring walk in Montreal with earphones in and a 2 hour Ellington record queued up to spin. And was I in for a treat!
Such class, such elegance, such musicianship. What a time it would have been in 1956 to be part of this audience. Something struck me in particular about Diminuendo In Blue; this was the clincher for me not long after my first coffee of the walk that guaranteed a quality review.
I really want there to be more Ellington records along the road to 1001.
4
Mar 11 2024
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Opus Dei
Laibach
Uhh? I don’t know what to make of it. I tend to enjoy avant garde music but this was on the erratically unenjoyable side of the scale, excepting the Queen cover which was kinda cool. Apparently this is “neo-classical”?
2
Mar 12 2024
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Aja
Steely Dan
It’s a nice-sounding, well-produced record indeed, but its sparkling yacht cleanliness comes with a sacrifice of the authentic grit that other albums of its generation were able to capture. Josie and Deacon Blue are decent tunes. Not a bad album by any means but Pretzel Logic and Can’t Buy A Thrill are both superior to Aja.
3
Mar 13 2024
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I’m a Lonesome Fugitive
Merle Haggard
Easy-listening American country music with typical melancholic themes behind the songs. No one particular song stood out to me. Not sure why this is an album to hear before I die.
2
Mar 14 2024
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Station To Station
David Bowie
Bowie is about as middle-of-the-range as you can get, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think an album of his will ever score higher or lower than 2.5 (rounded up to 3).
3
Mar 15 2024
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The La's
The La's
Strong start with Son Of A Gun. The La’s are reminiscent of a less-whiny version of The Smiths. I was familiar with There She Goes which made me look out the window of the bus and smile nostalgically. Quite a good record, it’s a high 3 but falls short of the 4 because I don’t feel like I’d listen to it again in a hurry.
3
Mar 16 2024
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Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs
Marty Robbins
I don’t know why, but I feel very familiar with the cover art. As though it’s always been in my collection and I should have heard this record 30 times already. But I haven’t.
Anyway, it’s pretty good music, I enjoyed this! I appreciate Robbins’ vocal delivery, simple instrumentation and eloquent storytelling. Cool Water rang a bell and is the standout track in my opinion, I’m sure I heard that song on a kids show when I grew up.
4
Mar 17 2024
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Solid Air
John Martyn
I've dabbled in small selections from Martyn's discography over the years and according to Last.FM, I listened to 7 tracks from Solid Air back in 2013, but today's spin was the first time in full. It was great. I was familiar with Over The Hill and May You Never, as both are in my playlist of favourites, and I was happy to add The Easy Blues to my selection.
One of my all-time favourite John Farnham songs is his version of May You Never; it took me many years to learn it was actually one of John Martyn's.
4
Mar 18 2024
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No Other
Gene Clark
A markedly uninteresting album. Next.
2
Mar 19 2024
View Album
Tidal
Fiona Apple
I couldn't really get into Fiona Apple. It certainly rates high from a musicality perspective, which is where my 3rd star comes from, but it didn't strike me with any particular feels.
3
Mar 20 2024
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Logical Progression
LTJ Bukem
Reasonable sounding drum & bass collection. Not my go-to genre at all but I had no complaints listening to this.
3
Mar 21 2024
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Heroes to Zeros
The Beta Band
Another album that I don’t think has any place on this list. Generic and uninspiring.
2
Mar 22 2024
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Green Onions
Booker T. & The MG's
Reasonable set of old-school tunes going on here. Green Onions is a banger. Others were alright.
3
Mar 23 2024
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Odelay
Beck
Not as cool as Guero
3
Mar 24 2024
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest
I'm realizing through this project that there's a certain branch of hip hop with a certain maturity to it; A Tribe Called Quest falls into this category. I get good vibes from it, unlike the NWA / Dr. Dre kind of garbage. It'll never be my go-to genre but at least I know there's something out there I can tolerate.
3
Mar 25 2024
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Suede
Suede
Britpop in its infancy. I'm sure it's an incredibly influential record but it's not for me.
2
Mar 26 2024
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Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
A slightly higher-rated punk album than I'd normally give a punk album, but only because of familiarity with 2-3 tracks
2
Mar 27 2024
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The Last Broadcast
Doves
Bright and encouraging opening with the riff from Words. Similar vibes with There Goes The Fear. Remaining tunes weren’t quite as ear-wormy but it was a decent album altogether.
3
Mar 28 2024
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Tres Hombres
ZZ Top
Decent blues. La Grange is the clear standout, other songs sound a bit samey. But I would listen again.
3
Mar 29 2024
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Younger Than Yesterday
The Byrds
Another mediocre 60's album, nothing really stood out to me aside from the most popular track, My Back Pages. I'm sure it was influential for its time but in this day and age it's another a blip in the vast musical ocean.
2
Mar 30 2024
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Amnesiac
Radiohead
Quite dark and atmospheric, as can be expected from Radiohead. I hadn't spun this album before, as far as I recall I've only previously heard Pyramid Song. Pulk/Pull Revolving doors was .... weird? Not my favourite Radiohead album so far of the project - The Bends moved me in a way the Amnesiac hasn't - but it's still worth a listen.
3
Mar 31 2024
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S&M
Metallica
I’ve spun S&M before and knew what I was in for. Of all Metallica records, this one is my favourite, the orchestra adds such a contrasting tone and colour to the aggressivity.
Hero Of The Day was a new discovery for me, even though I’d heard it before I never really took notice until yesterday, its ascending chord progression gives it a particularly reassuring, comforting feel.
Now to the score. Metallica is a band I need to be in a certain mood to enjoy. I split the listening of this album across two sessions, the first session I wasn’t in the mood and the second I was much more receptive. As such, there were moments where I felt a 2 and moments where I felt a 4, so I’ll have to go with the average, but it’s a very strong 3.
3
Apr 01 2024
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Made In Japan
Deep Purple
Two 2+ hour albums in a row for me! (Metallica’s S&M yesterday). Fantastic musicianship, it’s clear these guys were masters of their trade. I’m sure a true Deep Purple fan would gladly sit through the whole live recording but it was too much on the long side for me.
3
Apr 02 2024
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Wild Is The Wind
Nina Simone
A high quality record, very classy & elegant and listenable. It has many qualities of a 4/5 but personally it doesn't strike me with the feels, so I'm settling with a 3.
3
Apr 03 2024
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Caetano Veloso
Caetano Veloso
I have a soft spot for Brazilian music but much more on the bossa nova side, less on the tropical pop side. Caetano Veloso was still a good jam though.
3
Apr 04 2024
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The Coral
The Coral
The first album in the project so far I’ve listened to twice before rating. It spoke to me but I wanted to be certain it was deserving of a 4/5, and it is. I’ve never consciously listened to The Coral before; this was basically a new discovery for me. I loved the production, it’s a very well made record. I get vibes of a slightly ska-influenced version of the Stereophonics. Spanish Main is a very enticing opener, how about those harmonies? I Remember When is the standout track for me and I also quite enjoyed Simon Diamond. Good stuff.
4
Apr 05 2024
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Fear and Whiskey
Mekons
In the first 15 seconds I asked myself ‘Is this supposed to be country?’ before later learning it’s one of the first examples of alt-country. It sounded messy and disjointed, the country/new-wave crossover was unappealing to me.
2
Apr 06 2024
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Blonde On Blonde
Bob Dylan
I don’t care much for Bobby D. It was alright, I suppose.
3
Apr 07 2024
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Vulnicura
Björk
There were some enjoyable tracks from this Björk record but it didn't strike me as a whole collection I'd spin again in a hurry
3
Apr 08 2024
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Brothers
The Black Keys
Decent rock. A big sound. Howlin’ For You was recognizable. Probably wouldn’t listen to this album again but I’d listen to more Black Keys
3
Apr 09 2024
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Surrealistic Pillow
Jefferson Airplane
I prefer We Built This City
3
Apr 10 2024
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Porcupine
Echo And The Bunnymen
I was instantly drawn to the use of bagpipes in The Cutter. I thought this song sounded vibrant and intriguing. I had high hopes for the rest of the album, potentially it was going to be my highest rated new wave record. Unfortunately, nothing else came close to that calibre.
2
Apr 11 2024
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Blood, Sweat & Tears
Blood, Sweat & Tears
It made me happy to hear this album. I was intrigued from the moment the opener hit my ears, the idea to bookend with Satie was fantastic. I loved the incorporation of jazz throughout, it's a step above your standard 60's rock record. The production is first-class. I struggled to believe it was a product of 1968, it sounds well beyond its years. I was vaguely familiar with Spinning Wheel and You've Made Me So Very Happy, which I would say are the two standouts, but there wasn't a track on this record I didn't enjoy. A worthwhile discovery.
4
Apr 12 2024
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Actually
Pet Shop Boys
Yet another British pop/new wave band from the 80’s that I’ve never really been able to get into in the past, confirmed to be the case after putting myself through an uninteresting album of theirs
2
Apr 13 2024
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Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
Beatles
Imagine the surprise in my early teens when I made the connection that the theme tune to Australia’s most popular lifestyle TV programme was by The Beatles. John, Paul, George and Ringo legitimized Better Homes And Gardens for me.
4
Apr 14 2024
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Berlin
Lou Reed
This isn’t for me. It’s not bad, but Lou Reed just isn’t my jam.
2
Apr 15 2024
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Double Nickels On The Dime
Minutemen
This was interesting. I’m sure many, including myself, were familiar with Corona and probably knew nothing more from Minutemen. This was probably the most accessible punk I’ve ever heard, full of ripper riffs and vibrant melodies without being overly harsh on the ears.
I was surprised to hear Midnight Oil and Tragically Hip kinda vibes throughout. The vocals in Theatre Is The Life Of You struck me as quite Peter Garrett; It’s Expected I’m Gone gave me Gord Downie with his ensemble.
It’s certainly not my go-to genre but I’d consider listening to more Minutemen. It’s the first time during this project that I’ve expressed such a sentiment for a punk band.
3
Apr 16 2024
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The Stranger
Billy Joel
How great is Billy Joel? There’s not a bad tune on this album, it’s full of absolute classics. It gets a coveted 5* from me.
I’m very glad I got the chance to see him live a decade or so ago in Toronto. I scored a cheap resale ticket for $11 - the beer I bought at the venue was $1.50 more expensive than the ticket, for heavens sake. Anyway, this experience really opened my eyes to the joys of the Joel, I’ve been a big fan ever since.
I’m always happy to spin The Stranger and I hope there is more Billy to come.
5
Apr 17 2024
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Rising Above Bedlam
Jah Wobble's Invaders Of The Heart
It was quite difficult to get ahold of this album, but I did, and it wasn’t particularly worth the effort. It was ok. Listenable experimental / electronic kinda music but not repeatable.
3
Apr 18 2024
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Nighthawks At The Diner
Tom Waits
It’s been 10 years since I listened to a Waits record in full, which I don’t recall enjoying. However I liked Nighthawks due to its consistency and for showcasing his humorous storytelling style throughout. I just felt like it was a one-time listen.
3
Apr 19 2024
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(Pronounced 'Leh-'Nérd 'Skin-'Nérd)
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Fantastic record! It's incredible how an album of such quality could be their debut. Standouts were the recognizable radio staples, Tuesday’s Gone, Gimme Three Steps and of course Free Bird, but I also connected well with Mississippi Kid, a bluegrass hillbilly tune with a killer harmonica part, which I don't recall taking notice of before. It's well deserving of its success and of many repeat listens.
4
Apr 20 2024
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Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
I was excited to finally have a Hendrix album to listen to, but upon playing it, I'm nowhere near as amazed as I thought I'd be. I'm sure this was groundbreaking at the time but it sounds to me today like repetitive old blues. Watchtower was the only number that I felt had a sense of magic. I've realized Hendrix is someone I can appreciate in small doses on a track-by-track basis but not in album format. It's unlikely I'll listen to another one of his albums in full again.
2
Apr 21 2024
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Queen Of Denmark
John Grant
I liked the sarcastic humour. Silver Platter Club was the standout for me. The JC song was quite controversial, my goodness. I wouldn’t listen to another John Grant album in a hurry but I also wouldn’t complain if I heard another track of his.
3
Apr 22 2024
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S.F. Sorrow
The Pretty Things
Decent acoustic folk. A little on the hippie side but not obnoxiously hippie. I didn’t quite get it at first, but read afterwards that it’s a rock opera, so it made a bit more sense (I wish I’d known that before listening, to be honest). Private Sorrow was my pick of the bunch, I enjoyed the acoustic guitar run-down in its intro. Would listen to more Pretty Things.
3
Apr 23 2024
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Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
Very talented lady of soul. Classics all around, I enjoyed it. Interesting version of People Get Ready. Chain Of Fools and Natural Woman were my picks.
3
Apr 24 2024
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Youth And Young Manhood
Kings of Leon
Good to hear Kings Of Leon before they became rock superstars. Their late-2000’s stuff was their best but Youth And Young Manhood was worthy of a listen.
3
Apr 25 2024
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Abraxas
Santana
Santana is fantastic. What a collection of classics… Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, Samba Pa Ti. A joyous guitarist with an equally as uplifting band.
4
Apr 26 2024
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Alien Lanes
Guided By Voices
I'm surprised to read how critically acclaimed this album was. I didn't care for it at all. I agree with Robert Christgau of The Village Voice that it's a dud.
2
Apr 27 2024
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Joan Armatrading
Joan Armatrading
Another album with high critical acclaim that I was looking forward to listening to, but I’d written it off as monotonous by the third track. Not for me.
2
Apr 28 2024
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This Nation’s Saving Grace
The Fall
There was one tune which had a mildly appealing 15 second acoustic guitar intro, but aside from that, I couldn’t have cared less about any other song from this album.
2
Apr 29 2024
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American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
Such brutal, gravelly honesty to Cash's voice. I've listened to American IV a handful of times and it always mentally transports me to the porch of a quiet farmyard shack in western Tennessee overlooking the Mississippi.
Aside from the clear standout, Hurt, I really enjoyed Bridge Over Troubled Water, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Danny Boy. I must say that something sounds off with Desperado, it feels a bit out of place, but that's a small criticism against what is a quality collection of mostly American classics.
4
Apr 30 2024
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Licensed To Ill
Beastie Boys
Obnoxious, aggressive and absolutely not for me. Vocals are akin to scratching nails on a chalkboard.
2
May 01 2024
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Dookie
Green Day
Pretty decent 90’s pop/punk with catchy melodies. It’s never my go-to genre but I can get through Dookie sans boredom.
3
May 02 2024
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The Grand Tour
George Jones
Monotonous old-school country that certainly didn’t take me on any tour. It’s not bad music but it’s all just a bit too “meh”
2
May 03 2024
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Future Days
Can
I liked it. Interesting sounds. Quite experimental. Not enough to conjure a particularly strong emotional connection, hence a 3 rather than a 4, but I’d happily explore more of their discography
3
May 04 2024
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Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes
Chill record. White Winter Hymnal is beautiful. The overall sound is like being in the clouds
3
May 05 2024
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The Message
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five
Another difficult album to track down that I didn’t think was worth the effort. The title track was somewhat recognizable. The remaining 6 tracks sounded dated to me, with a cheesy 80’s hiphop feel.
2
May 06 2024
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Signing Off
UB40
All accomplished musicians, decent songs, but reggae doesn’t speak to me at all. Having said that, I didn’t mind Madam Medusa.
2
May 07 2024
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Figure 8
Elliott Smith
Solid indie tunes, good musician & lyricist. I was just reading about Smith, seems he had quite the tragic life. I didn't think it was a particularly memorable album but it's decent.
3
May 08 2024
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Kind Of Blue
Miles Davis
I haven’t heard a jazz record yet via this project that I didn’t like
4
May 09 2024
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Close To The Edge
Yes
I see where Wolfmother got their sound from. I really enjoyed this album. Pure progressive genius. My favourite song was And You And I due to its progressive acoustic feel; Close To The Edge came a close second. Would absolutely spin it again.
4
May 10 2024
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Real Life
Magazine
Real Life isn’t deserving of a place in this prestigious list. I didn’t find anything appealing about Magazine at all. Next.
2
May 11 2024
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Exactly what I’d expect an Elvis album to sound like. It was interesting to hear his version of I Got A Woman, it’s substandard compared to the Ray Charles original. A 50’s classic but very middle-of-the-road to my ears.
3
May 12 2024
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Kilimanjaro
The Teardrop Explodes
Yet another run-of-the-mill assemblage of British 80's new-wave. I simply can't get into this genre, it speaks nothing to me. How does this mediocrity make its way into a list like this, or into the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever?
2
May 13 2024
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Mask
Bauhaus
Yet another example of what I believe to be pure mediocrity polluting this list
2
May 14 2024
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A Girl Called Dusty
Dusty Springfield
This was a sweet listen. The songs here have a certain "rare" quality, you don't hear this sound so often any more. I particularly enjoyed You Don't Own Me, Mockingbird and Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa. I wouldn't consider it to be a repeatable album but it was nice as a one-off.
3
May 15 2024
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Fever Ray
Fever Ray
Some intriguingly deep & dark experimental sounds here. I liked it. The bookending tracks worked particularly well, the opening drone of If I Had A Heart and the closing birdcalls of Coconut got my ears standing to attention.
3
May 16 2024
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Kid A
Radiohead
This was a very good record, I find it better than Amnesiac but a little less engaging than The Bends, both of which I've listened to already via this project. Still worthy of a 4/5. Everything In It's Right Place is the standout.
4
May 17 2024
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Rip It Up
Orange Juice
A poor man’s Talking Heads.
2
May 18 2024
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Blue Lines
Massive Attack
Safe From Harm is a great introduction with its catchy, groovy bass line and eclectic vocals. I really liked Blue Lines - this is hip hop I can potentially get behind. Is this even hip hop, though? I'm to sure what genre this constitutes. Altogether pretty decent.
3
May 19 2024
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Cut
The Slits
Instant Hit was a fantastic song, I'd never heard that before. I was indeed captured by the instantaneous hitness of it, the unusual instrumentation, the dissonant rhythm, the call & response harmonies. However, that was the high point, I didn't care much for the rest of the album. Grapevine was ok I guess but more out of familiarity than the quality of the cover.
I struggled to decide on the score for this one. On a whole it's a 2/5, it's a non-repeatable album and I have no interest in exploring the rest of their discography. But I did really enjoy Instant Hit to the point that it increases the score to a strong 2, rounded up to a 3.
3
May 20 2024
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I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
A moving and poignant record to listen to. Sinead was a very talented vocalist and songwriter. Aside from the Prince song, my favourite was The Emperor’s New Clothes, I’m sure I’d heard it before but this is the first time I listened attentively.
3
May 21 2024
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After The Gold Rush
Neil Young
No surprises here, it was about as Neil Young as Neil Young can get.
3
May 22 2024
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Call of the Valley
Shivkumar Sharma
I liked it, it's quite a different genre to most other albums on this list. It certainly wasn't mindblowing but it made for a good relaxing musical journey.
3
May 23 2024
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Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy
God, I can’t stand this. It will be a blessed day when I discover an album that opens my ears to American hip hop in a positive way. It's certainly not going to come from Public Enemy.
1
May 24 2024
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Dire Straits
Dire Straits
A very strong album, containing one of the all-time classic guitar rock songs. Only a pure genius could write, perform and release something of the calibre of Sultans Of Swing as their debut single.
I've spun this record a few times in the past so I have a good familiarity with it. I briefly considered giving it a coveted 5/5, but upon reflection, there are a few ordinary moments via tunes like Setting Me Up and In The Gallery. They're still decent songs, but they don't quite live up to the magic of that standout track.
I hope Dire Straits features again in this project as at least one of their other albums is deserving of the 5, based on my logic of magic across the board.
4
May 25 2024
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The White Album
Beatles
I’m not as moved by this collection of Beatles tracks as I am after hearing other albums of theirs. The White Album is ok but I don’t find it astounding.
3
May 26 2024
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Is This It
The Strokes
Solid rock album. Someday and Last Nite are the sure standouts. I remember Last Nite being in my repertoire of printed guitar tabs, it takes me back to my teen years to hear this again.
3
May 27 2024
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I’ve Got a Tiger By the Tail
Buck Owens
This brings me back to my childhood, sitting in the tropical patio of Alan & Kim's house, eating sausages loaded with tomato sauce on white bread and finding ways with my brothers to entertain ourselves whilst the adults drank beer and talked about adult things. This is exactly the type of hillbilly old school American country music Alan would play through his stereo. It was awful.
I did, at least, find it interesting that Owens' version of Act Naturally, which appears as a bonus live track on this album, predated the version by The Beatles.
2
May 28 2024
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All Directions
The Temptations
Good soul music. Surprisingly political. I was particularly interested to hear the 11 minute version of Papa Was A Rollin' Stone, it hit pretty decently. Wouldn't give it a repeat spin but would be happy to hear more Temptations.
3
May 29 2024
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Dirty
Sonic Youth
My favourite track was Theresa's Sound-World, it was as the title stated, a world of sound. Thick and lush. Aside from that I didn't particularly care for Sonic Youth.
2
May 30 2024
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Queen II
Queen
Never spun this before, seems quite the rarity. Not full of hits like some of their others, but still a good listen.
3
May 31 2024
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São Paulo Confessions
Suba
Chill vibes. Always enjoy a Brazilian contribution to the albums project. Never heard of Suba before but my god, he has an interesting life story with a tragic end.
3
Jun 01 2024
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Hail To the Thief
Radiohead
I feels like I've gotten Radiohead's entire discography within my first 200 albums here, this is my 4th of theirs. I'd never heard Hail To The Thief before. It didn't have the same magic to it as The Bends or Kid A; I rank it more in line with Amnesiac.
3
Jun 02 2024
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Medúlla
Björk
Too squeaky & squawky for my liking
2
Jun 03 2024
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Haut de gamme / Koweït, rive gauche
Koffi Olomide
Hey I liked this! There was no particular standout track, but this is still a great musical discovery that made me tap my feet for an hour. I doubt I'd ever have stumbled upon Koffi Olomide if not for this project.
3
Jun 04 2024
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The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill
Talented, well-produced, but this genre is not for me
2
Jun 05 2024
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Arular
M.I.A.
Nope, didn't like it. Hombre was an awful song. Far too many annoying EHHHHHHs. Next.
2
Jun 06 2024
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Bright Flight
Silver Jews
Monotonous and uninspiring.
2
Jun 07 2024
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Here Come The Warm Jets
Brian Eno
Nah, not for me. I can't get into Brian Eno. I preferred the airports album over this one.
2
Jun 08 2024
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In A Silent Way
Miles Davis
Very good stuff, as always from Miles Davis
4
Jun 09 2024
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Songs The Lord Taught Us
The Cramps
Despite being pretty much garbage as far as I'm concerned, it's lucky to narrowly escape a 1 star rating, but only because the bluesy instrumentation was tolerable.
2
Jun 10 2024
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Kick Out The Jams (Live)
MC5
I'm surprised at how loud, noisy and obnoxious this music was, I didn't expect this from such an early recording. Not to my liking at all.
2
Jun 11 2024
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Band On The Run
Paul McCartney and Wings
A fun, highly listenable and easily repeatable album by one of the all-time greats. I forgot about the existence of Let Me Roll It, it's a jam indeed, I added it to my playlist of favourites along with Band On The Run and Jet which were both already included. I loved how many references there were later in the album to earlier songs. A great spin. I'm so happy that I got the chance to see Sir Paul in concert a few years ago.
4
Jun 12 2024
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Ocean Rain
Echo And The Bunnymen
Standard, middle-of-the-line British 80's pop. It's alright but I wouldn't listen again in a hurry.
3
Jun 13 2024
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I Against I
Bad Brains
Nah this is obnoxious noise, I don't like it
2
Jun 14 2024
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Time Out Of Mind
Bob Dylan
I didn't realize Make You Feel My Love was a Bobby D song. The album was alright. I've never been a huge Bobby D fan, I can tolerate him but I don't find him mind-blowing. This record slots right there in the middle.
3
Jun 15 2024
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Green
R.E.M.
Was it a coincidence that I got R.E.M. on the day they were in the news due to their one-off Songwriters Hall Of Fame performance, or did the 1001 Albums Generator creator plant this?
I really like R.E.M.'s radio singles but I struggle to get into their album tracks. Green had a couple of huge 5★ hits but the in-between songs are fairly mediocre, it evens out at a strong 3/5.
3
Jun 16 2024
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Trio
Dolly Parton
It’s a very sweet album. I’ve grown to respect Dolly P a lot in recent years. I’m terms of talent this album scores highly, but there were no individual songs that hit me with the feels, so I’ll have to give it a 3. It’s a strong 3 though. I would listen to it again for sure; I could see myself becoming more connected to it after 3-4 spins.
3
Jun 17 2024
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Siembra
Willie Colón & Rubén Blades
Tangy tomatillo
3
Jun 18 2024
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Live!
Fela Kuti
This is the best new discovery I’ve heard in recent weeks. What a blistering combo of musicians this is. I loved it. To have witnessed this concert in-person…
4
Jun 19 2024
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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary And Thyme
Simon & Garfunkel
I’ve never taken much notice to Simon & Garfunkel in the past but I quite liked this. At first spin I didn’t find it outstanding but it could grow on my with repeat listens. The 59th Street Bridge Song and 7 O’Clock News / Silent Night were my favourites.
3
Jun 20 2024
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The Nightfly
Donald Fagen
It’s still very Steely Dan sounding. Pretty good background music but no one track was particularly ear-catching to me. Deserving of its place slightly above centre score.
3
Jun 21 2024
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Maverick A Strike
Finley Quaye
Dude’s vocal style is the lovechild of Ben Harper and Tones & I.
It took me a while to get into it, I was even considering giving it a 2/5, but something finally struck me when I got to Sweet and Loving Man, followed by Red Rolled and Seen. Both decent tunes which pushed it up to a 3, albeit a low 3.
3
Jun 22 2024
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Urban Hymns
The Verve
There are some masterpieces on Urban Hymns. Ashcroft’s voice is perfectly suited to The Verve’s instrumentation and songs. Great stuff, yeah I really enjoy this album.
4
Jun 23 2024
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The Dark Side Of The Moon
Pink Floyd
One of the all-time greats. There aren’t many albums that bring you on the majestic journey that The Dark Side Of The Moon brings you on.
5
Jun 24 2024
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Face to Face
The Kinks
I was familiar with Sunny Afternoon, it was a song I learnt as a teenager playing guitar, and I had a particular liking for Dead End Street. An alright album of classic British rock but not worth a repeat spin.
3
Jun 25 2024
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Dusty In Memphis
Dusty Springfield
Like the other album of hers that I heard here, A Girl Called Dusty, it’s sweet and old-school with a certain rare quality, but it’s not really to my fancy.
3
Jun 26 2024
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Strange Cargo III
William Orbit
It’s pretty chill electronic music. Not mindblowing; not awful either.
3
Jun 27 2024
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Swordfishtrombones
Tom Waits
I appreciated Town With No Cheer for the references to my home country, but aside from that, this isn’t for me at all.
2
Jun 28 2024
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The Band
The Band
I really enjoyed Rag Mama Rag, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Jawbone (that piano interlude between lines!). Quite a good album with a consistent song style, worthy of a repeat listen, a high 3/5 overall.
3
Jun 29 2024
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Led Zeppelin II
Led Zeppelin
I went into this wanting to give it at least a 4/5 purely for Led Zep’s influence & reputation, but by the end I wasn't feeling it, it's been downgraded to a 3. Yes, Whole Lotta Love is one of the all-time greatest rock songs, and there are a few other bangers like Heartbreaker and Ramble On, but as a collection it didn't draw me in as much as I thought it would.
3
Jun 30 2024
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Vivid
Living Colour
I don’t know how I’d come to this conclusion in the past, but I’d always written off Living Color as a shitty British new-wave band, like a poor man’s version of Duran Duran. Today I learnt they’re neither shitty, British, nor new-wave.
Cult Of Personality is one of those songs I was vaguely aware of but never paid attention to before. Now that I’ve given it a chance: what a rockin’ banger. Followed immediately by another rocker, I Want To Know. I loved the outro to Open Letter. This whole album is 80’s guitar wankery at its finest, and I mean that with all due respect. I’m impressed.
Vivid was a true surprise; I went in thinking “ugh” and walked away with 4 well-deserved stars and a determination to seek more of their catalogue. It further invigorates me to continue with this fantastic 1001 albums project.
4
Jul 01 2024
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon
It never ceases to amaze me how many critically-l acclaimed hip-hop albums this project conjures. Despite my initial efforts, it’s crap like Cuban Linx that leaves me adamant this genre will never occupy space in my heart. To hell with you who rave about how “culturally important” these songs are or how there’s “strength and presence in the message”. This is purely awful, vulgar, mind-numbing garbage.
1
Jul 02 2024
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Who's Next
The Who
I’ve had a soft spot for The Who over the past month as they’ve recently become my wife’s favourite band and we’ve been listening to them a lot. Tommy and Who Are You have been on high rotation but not so much of Who’s Next. It was nice to add these songs to our repertoire.
Baba O’Riley is one of the all-time greats. I enjoyed Going Mobile, that was a good new discovery. Never been a huge fan of Behind Blue Eyes, I’ve always thought various cover versions from across the years have been superior.
3
Jul 03 2024
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All Hope Is Gone
Slipknot
The final two tracks, Vermilion, Pt. 2 and Til We Die were barely listenable. Up until then it was agitated, bloodthirsty garbage.
2
Jul 04 2024
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Want One
Rufus Wainwright
I got Elbow vibes listening to this, it’s not bad
3
Jul 05 2024
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Jack Takes the Floor
Ramblin' Jack Elliott
Washed up, old-school American country & western. Not particularly interesting and not worth a re-listen.
2
Jul 06 2024
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Maggot Brain
Funkadelic
I was excited to hear this one, I had it in mind that Funkadelic were in some way mindblowing, but in reality I didn't feel this way at all. Kinda dull to be honest.
3
Jul 07 2024
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School's Out
Alice Cooper
This was a little disappointing. I was excited for an Alice Cooper offering, I've always enjoyed his hit singles and I like him as a person / radio presenter, but I thought this album fell flat. The title track is a certain classic, I'll give it that. As for the rest? It's not awful but it falls smack-bang in the middle: 2.5. I'll round it up to a 3.
3
Jul 08 2024
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Henry's Dream
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
I loved the warmth and sentimentality of The Boatman's Call which I was graced with a few months ago but I had quite the opposite feeling while listening to Henry's Dream. I particularly disliked the overall ambience and production. It sounded distant and piercing.
Interestingly, reading the Wiki after writing my previous paragraph, Cave himself also wasn't a fan of the production. This led to the recording of Live Seeds, with the intention of doing justice to his songs.
I went on to listen to Live Seeds and those recordings felt more dynamic and well-produced. But a disappointing ★★ for Henry's Dream.
2
Jul 09 2024
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Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
This is my most-scrobbled R.E.M. album according to my Last.FM stats, with 3 full plays in the past 9 years plus numerous selections of individual tracks. I have a fair familiarity with it. If it was the first time I'd heard this album I wouldn't be a fan. Drive isn't a particularly ear-catching opener, but purely out of familiarity, I felt somewhat connected to it. It's interesting how you react to music differently after you've already been exposed to it. I'm giving it a 4 because I enjoyed re-hearing this collection, but I'm adamant I would have given it a 3 or lower on first spin.
4
Jul 10 2024
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Want Two
Rufus Wainwright
Agnus Dei was an incredible opening track. Unexpected and delightfully haunting. The rest of the album was pretty good too but didn't exceed the quality of track 1.
3
Jul 11 2024
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The Slider
T. Rex
I know of T.Rex but I wasn’t familiar with a single track from this record. This was new territory for me.
Metal Guru was a great opener. I've never heard Guru pronounced that way but it works for this song.
By the time I got to track 3 - Rock On - I realized this had potential to be a banger of an album. I was really digging it. And indeed, the remainder kept up to this high standard.
I love finding these first-listen, 4-star records.
4
Jul 12 2024
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Roots
Sepultura
Sepultura, a band hailing from Belo Horizonte, which happens to be a city I’ve spent a bit of time at in recent years.
Alas, their familiar geographical origin did little to secure them a musical place in my heart.
2
Jul 13 2024
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A Rush Of Blood To The Head
Coldplay
This remains an exquisite album in 2024, it's stood the test of time. Such beautiful melancholy.
4
Jul 14 2024
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Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
The Flaming Lips
It's pretty good, I liked its diversity and the instrumentation. I'd listened to a few tracks from it before and was familiar with Do You Realize. Would listen again.
3
Jul 15 2024
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Protection
Massive Attack
Trip-hop isn't really my go to so I can't say I was particularly moved by Protection, but I can respect it for its quality (except for their god awful version of Light My Fire). It's in the middle of the 2's somewhere so let's be kind and round it up to 3.
3
Jul 16 2024
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Pet Sounds
The Beach Boys
Incredible record from start to finish. I'd listened before and most tracks sounded familiar, but something my ears took close notice of this time were the "cry" harmonies at the end of You Still Believe In Me, they work so well. Also, God Only Knows is one of the best songs of all time.
4
Jul 17 2024
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Honky Tonk Masquerade
Joe Ely
Yeah, nah. Really? Why is this on the list? The mind boggles.
2
Jul 18 2024
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First Band On The Moon
The Cardigans
Chill easy-to-listen-to pop album. Nice to know there’s more to The Cardigans than that one song.
3
Jul 19 2024
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Since I Left You
The Avalanches
I'm not normally into this electronic / dance "plunderphonic" (a newly-learnt word for me) kind of music, but once in a while a record of a normally unwelcome genre comes along that's somehow able to make gateways into your soul. This is one such record that does it for me. It's partly out of familiarity (hearing it on Triple J back in the day and playing it myself every few years), and partly because it's a magnificent production. Crazy to think it's composed almost entirely of samples.
4
Jul 20 2024
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Metallica
Metallica
I preferred the dynamic of S&M over this studio recording, but it’s still alright.
3
Jul 21 2024
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The Age Of The Understatement
The Last Shadow Puppets
Very Arctic Monkeys-like. It was alright for a single listen but it didn’t particularly impress me.
3
Jul 22 2024
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Talk Talk Talk
The Psychedelic Furs
The most irritating of all the new wave voices, a genre of which I already don’t appreciate. I couldn’t stand this album and considered turning it off half way through, but I regrettably persevered. I Wanna Sleep With You was the worst of the lot, akin to nails on the chalkboard.
1
Jul 23 2024
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Diamond Life
Sade
The kind of music I expect to be playing in an empty hotel foyer at 1:30am
2
Jul 24 2024
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Exile On Main Street
The Rolling Stones
I was very indifferent to this Rolling Stones album. I considered giving it a 2 but at the end of the day it’s not that bad, it’s listenable, just zero standout tracks.
3
Jul 25 2024
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Inspiration Information
Shuggie Otis
Never heard of him before, it was alright. Chill soul vibes.
3
Jul 26 2024
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Hysteria
Def Leppard
Great all-round 80's rock album. The first half is gold, the last half more filler but still ok. Love Bites is my pick of the bunch. Power Ballad of the century.
3
Jul 27 2024
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Ten
Pearl Jam
The soundtrack to the radio station of my teenage years, 100.7 Sea FM. The singles are great but I don’t care much for the non-singles.
3
Jul 28 2024
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Basket of Light
Pentangle
Not as god awful as the Incredible String Band which I had a few months ago but still a similar level of hippie bullshit
2
Jul 29 2024
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Duck Stab/Buster & Glen
The Residents
Absolute mashed potato. I can’t believe I sat through 2 hours of this nonsense. I felt like gouging my own eyes out with a teaspoon during the Birthday Boy song, and the journey continued even further downhill from then on. There is no god.
1
Jul 30 2024
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Murmur
R.E.M.
I get that R.E.M.'s debut made the list because it would have been unusual for its time, but 41 years later I don't hear anything particularly special about it. It's ok though. Something about We Walk caught my ear.
3
Jul 31 2024
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Heaven Or Las Vegas
Cocteau Twins
The sheer ingenuity of the babble pushes this into 4 star territory. I’d listened to a handful of Cocteau Twins tracks before but this was my first full album and I really enjoyed it.
4
Aug 01 2024
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This Is Hardcore
Pulp
Not a fan of Pulp, this kind of music sounds lacklustre to me.
2
Aug 02 2024
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What's That Noise?
Coldcut
Well didn't I judge a book by its cover? For some reason I presumed it would be 80's new wave crap but I was pleasantly surprised at how refreshing and entertaining this music was.
4
Aug 03 2024
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Slippery When Wet
Bon Jovi
Solid, but I prefer 2000’s Bon Jovi in their country-rock phase. The hit singles are all fantastic. I didn’t care much for the album tracks.
3
Aug 04 2024
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Reign In Blood
Slayer
Awful metal shit
1
Aug 05 2024
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That's The Way Of The World
Earth, Wind & Fire
I got them confused with Blood, Sweat & Tears, who I really enjoyed, so I was kinda disappointed that this album didn’t give me a similar feeling. Then I realized it was a different band. But it’s still decent middle-of-the-road soul/funk. It does alright.
3
Aug 06 2024
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Violent Femmes
Violent Femmes
This was better than I thought it was going to be. Of course I knew Blister, and I'd played a small handful of their other songs in the past, but I'd never listened to a full album before, nor was I aware just how acoustic punk The Violent Femmes are. I'm generally not a fan of punk, but my ears took genuine notice of this album thanks to its unplugged instrumentation. I wouldn't say I loved it, but it certainly inspired me to explore more of their discography.
3
Aug 07 2024
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Highly Evolved
The Vines
Nick Cave aside, it’s not often that I’m offered an album hailing from a home country artist. I think there are 1,001 other better Aussie options that I’d pick much sooner than The Vines. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not awful, and I get that they made a splash on the international scene, but Australia has so many more worthwhile musical collectives that could be showcased here.
Homesick is a good song and I took notice of Country Yard for the first time, but the rest is standard 00’s rock.
3
Aug 08 2024
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In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida
Iron Butterfly
One of my dad’s favourites, and one that I’ve listened to a bunch of times in the past. Pretty good stuff.
3
Aug 09 2024
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Bitches Brew
Miles Davis
I LOVED Pharaoh's Dance! This was one of the best new song discoveries I've made so far along this project. It left me in a trance, there was something so captivating about it. The rest of the album was great too, although it didn't reach the same level of magic I felt from Pharaoh.
4
Aug 10 2024
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American Idiot
Green Day
Top-tier punk rock, this is some really good stuff. Jesus of Suburbia is a right jam, my pick of the bunch. The rest of the singles from the album are epic, even the non-singles go above and beyond. Green Day at their peak.
4
Aug 11 2024
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Mermaid Avenue
Billy Bragg
I’m surprised how many of these songs I recognized, without knowing they were Billy Bragg & Wilco. Spotify plays them on my Discover Weekly quite often. Plus I remember Bragg playing She Came Along To Me live on The Panel some time in the late 90’s. As a whole I really enjoyed it. Great melodies, good natural production, yeah it makes me want to listen to more.
4
Aug 12 2024
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Heartbreaker
Ryan Adams
Too much whiny harmonica
3
Aug 13 2024
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Heroes
David Bowie
What I'm finding as I get deeper into this project is that I'm not a fan of David Bowie. His music isn't terrible or anything. I just don't care for it. It doesn't excite me. At all.
2
Aug 14 2024
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Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
This was some good bootscootin’ hillbilly bluegrass. I enjoyed this album, it’s right on the cusp of 4 stars. They did justice to those old folk standards. I was quite moved by Randy Scruggs’ short acoustic cover of Both Sides Now. I’m inspired to check out volume 2 and 3 in this series.
4
Aug 15 2024
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Sound Affects
The Jam
Nah I didn’t like this. Obnoxious British “rock”
2
Aug 16 2024
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Idlewild
Everything But The Girl
I thought this was quite generic, uninspiring folk/pop. Talented musicians for sure, but I don't care for it. I don't mind their hit song Missing, but nothing on this album reached that level.
2
Aug 17 2024
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I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
Exactly what I’d expect from an Aretha Franklin album
3
Aug 18 2024
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Time (The Revelator)
Gillian Welch
High production quality, this has a good sonic feel to it. She’s clearly a talented musician. I didn’t emotionally connect to anything though.
3
Aug 19 2024
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Hunky Dory
David Bowie
Bowie Schmowie. I'm getting a bit sick of him. He takes up too much real estate around here.
2
Aug 20 2024
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Siamese Dream
The Smashing Pumpkins
Billy and the Boys were the darlings of the FM radio station of my youth. I never appreciated his whiny voice or their obnoxiously fuzzy guitar sound. Disarm and Today are ok but only out of familiarity. Aside from that: not for me.
2
Aug 21 2024
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Highway to Hell
AC/DC
Here we go, some good, classic Aussie rock. I love AC/DC but their albums sound a bit samey. Night Prowler was, surprisingly, my favourite track from Highway To Hell. It’s slow but it’s sinister, there was something quite captivating about it.
3
Aug 22 2024
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Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
The Smashing Pumpkins
Only two days after my last Pumpkins album I got this epic two-hour long entry. I wasn't a fan of Siamese Dream, proclaiming Billy's voice to be whiny and their guitar sounds to be obnoxiously fuzzy. While those two facts remained true throughout the course of Mellon Collie, I did think the song quality increased by a notch, so I'm giving this a star higher than Siamese.
3
Aug 23 2024
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Jazz Samba
Stan Getz
Very good stuff. I'm quite familiar with all these pieces, given that I'm married to a Brazilian who plays these songs regularly. It's really nice to hear these jazz interpretations. O Pato is one of my favourites and I particularly loved this Stan Getz version. Next step is to check out its sequel, Jazz Samba Encore.
4
Aug 24 2024
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Live At The Regal
B.B. King
It was alright but I did expect something more from BB King
3
Aug 25 2024
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Haunted Dancehall
The Sabres Of Paradise
Chill tunes to walk around the city with
3
Aug 26 2024
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Live / Dead
Grateful Dead
I see that this is a very critically acclaimed live album, and it was ok, but it didn’t move me. I just haven’t been able to board the Grateful Dead train.
3
Aug 27 2024
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Shake Your Money Maker
The Black Crowes
Makes me want to drink whiskey and ride motorbikes. Top class 90’s bluesy rock that had me hooked from the opening riff of Twice As Hard.
4
Aug 28 2024
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Architecture And Morality
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
Yet another example of a new-wave album that I just couldn’t get into. Extended Souvenir was an ok song with a catchy synth lick but it’s the only one that vaguely captured my attention.
2
Aug 29 2024
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Aha Shake Heartbreak
Kings of Leon
I wasn’t familiar with any of these songs but it was a decent 00’s American rock album
3
Aug 30 2024
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Nothing's Shocking
Jane's Addiction
The first track kinda interested me but rest of it was nothing special
2
Aug 31 2024
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What's Going On
Marvin Gaye
Quite classy. I understand this to be one of the most critically-acclaimed albums of all time. I think I’ll need to give it a few more spins with some introspective analysis to truly appreciate it though.
3
Sep 01 2024
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Funeral
Arcade Fire
I didn’t have a good day today. I played the first half of the album in the morning, went out for a walk to clear my head, then came home and had a very upsetting conversation with a loved one.
I then resumed Funeral where I left off, to the lyrics of “the pains of love, and they keep blowing, in my heart, there's flowers growing, on the grave of our old love”.
How apt.
4
Sep 02 2024
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Closer
Joy Division
More like Misery Multiplication
2
Sep 03 2024
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Morrison Hotel
The Doors
I forgot how great a song Roadhouse Blues was. The rest of the album was pretty good despite me having a preconceived notion that the Doors weren't all that exciting a band.
3
Sep 04 2024
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We're Only In It For The Money
The Mothers Of Invention
Probably this has some cultural significance but I thought it was frigging stupid
1
Sep 05 2024
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If You Can Believe Your Eyes & Ears
The Mamas & The Papas
One of the best album covers in existence
3
Sep 06 2024
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The Man Machine
Kraftwerk
Standard old-school electronic tunes
3
Sep 07 2024
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Boston
Boston
Fantastic rock record. The three opening tracks are pure gold. Such a consistent, high-energy, kick arse sound.
4
Sep 08 2024
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Sheer Heart Attack
Queen
Pretty solid record, slightly more engaging than Queen II which I got a few months back but still overall a 3 star effort.
3
Sep 09 2024
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16 Lovers Lane
The Go-Betweens
I think one of the greatest single lines of any song is from the chorus of Streets Of Your Town: "Every day I - make my way". It's so simple, yet the ingenuity of the unanticipated inverted rhyme gets me every time. A sure-fire four stars for this legendary band hailing from my home state of Queensland.
4
Sep 10 2024
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Darkness on the Edge of Town
Bruce Springsteen
Badlands is a fantastic song. I'm quite the fan of Springsteen, and I see this album is widely declared to be among his best work, but this isn't his strongest album in my opinion. I prefer the wall of sound opposed to the more raw-style production.
3
Sep 11 2024
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Modern Life Is Rubbish
Blur
Didn't know any of these tunes, clearly it was an album from before Blur's commercial peak. A decent discovery though.
3
Sep 12 2024
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The Holy Bible
Manic Street Preachers
Pretty standard Welsh rock tunes. Didn't notice any particularly standout tracks.
3
Sep 13 2024
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Close To You
Carpenters
I do like the few songs by The Carpenters that I've heard in the past, but they're very delicate, and I wasn't in a particularly delicate mood this morning. Despite that, their version of Close To You is a classic. Help was a curiosity, and I enjoyed the quite out-of-place jam at the end of Another Song. I also just read up on the life of Karen. What a sad end she had :(
3
Sep 14 2024
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Reggatta De Blanc
The Police
I’ve always considered The Police a middle-of-the-road kind of band, this album epitomizes that. Good radio singles; ordinary album tracks.
3
Sep 15 2024
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Mott
Mott The Hoople
Very little about this 70’s mediocrity piqued my curiosity
2
Sep 16 2024
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Rum Sodomy & The Lash
The Pogues
It was great to finally get The Pogues. I’m quite familiar with a number of individual tracks but this may have been the first time I’ve listened to an album in full.
The Sick Bed Of Cuchulainn was a fantastic opener, I’ve never heard it before and I will surely spin it again. Same with Wild Cats Of Kilkenny, it was a perfectly chaotic instrumental.
If I’d never heard of The Pogues before I’d probably think this record was rubbish and score it a 2, but thankfully I’ve had a quality exposure to Irish culture & music and I get what’s going on here. It definitely satisfied my emerald desires.
4
Sep 17 2024
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In Rainbows
Radiohead
My 5th Radiohead album along this journey. Not as memorable as The Bends or Kid A. Certainly listenable but no standout tracks for me.
3
Sep 18 2024
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Fishscale
Ghostface Killah
Heart Street Directions was so astonishingly cringe it made me want to vomit. Who listens to this shit? Pure trash, just like 99% of all other "music" of similar genre.
1
Sep 19 2024
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L'Eau Rouge
The Young Gods
I enjoyed this but more because of its uniqueness and unexpected factor than the music itself. I can't say I've ever been exposed to Swiss industrial rock before. The album was good for a single listen but don't think I'd venture back to these corners of Spotify in a hurry.
3
Sep 20 2024
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A Hard Day's Night
Beatles
Not my favourite Beatles record but it's still a great jam. The singles are my favourite out of familiarity, being the title track and Can’t Buy Me Love, but I didn’t really connect with the album tracks.
3
Sep 21 2024
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The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady
Charles Mingus
I’m rarely disappointed at the jazz offerings here. Mingus added a varied and melodic soundtrack to my walk through Mahatma-Gandhi park.
4
Sep 22 2024
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Darkdancer
Les Rythmes Digitales
Pretty sure I’ve heard Jacques Your Body (Make Me Sweat) before. Decent high energy beats to work out to.
3
Sep 23 2024
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Slayed?
Slade
Run-of-the-mill 70's British rock. Don't really care for it. No standout tracks.
2
Sep 24 2024
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The Cars
The Cars
Good classic pop/rock. I realized that Just What I Needed is the most popular track from the album, and even though my stats show I’ve listened 3 times before, I didn’t recognize it at all.
3
Sep 25 2024
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Bluesbreakers
John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers
I really enjoyed this. Another Man was the clincher track that put it into 4 star territory. Fantastically emotive blues harp.
4
Sep 26 2024
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Kala
M.I.A.
I didn't have a particularly positive feeling for this album across the first few tracks, I thought it was overly percussive in an irritating way, but I was surprised to hear distinctive indigenous Australian singing voices on Mango Pickle Down River - none other than The Wilcannia Mob, who I'm familiar with. This led me to read a bit more about M.I.A. and how Kala came together, earning an additional review star out of respect.
3
Sep 27 2024
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Elvis Is Back
Elvis Presley
I liked it because it didn't contain any hit singles. I wasn't familiar with a single track from it, it was like discovering Elvis for the first time. Having said that, it didn't come through with a lot of strength.
3
Sep 28 2024
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Court And Spark
Joni Mitchell
I am a big fan of Joni's classic, Blue, but I'd never spun Court And Spark before. It didn't hit me with the feels in the same way Blue does, but I believe it could grow on me over time.
3
Sep 29 2024
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Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)
Loretta Lynn
Very country and very western. It was the perfect length for a single spin but this kind of music annoys me in longer doses.
3
Sep 30 2024
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From Elvis In Memphis
Elvis Presley
My second Elvis album this week, I preferred this one to the previous Elvis Is Back. Only The Strong Survive was a nice new discovery for me. Of course, Suspicious Minds was the climax. A worthwhile listen.
3
Oct 01 2024
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Dummy
Portishead
Decently listenable trip-hop
3
Oct 02 2024
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Celebrity Skin
Hole
Good 90's rock. Of course I enjoyed hearing radio staples Celebrity Skin and Malibu but I particularly appreciated discovering Heaven Tonight, which I've added to my playlist of favourites.
3
Oct 03 2024
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Brothers In Arms
Dire Straits
Brothers In Arms is well deserving of the coveted 5 stars, a rarity for me to grant across this project. It's a gripping and engaging record full of incredible musicianship and meaningful messages. The hits like Money For Nothing and Walk Of Life and the title track all pack an impressively nostalgic punch, and on this listen my curiosity was particularly piqued by album tracks Why Worry and The Man’s Too Strong. It's rare to find a collection as strong as this.
5
Oct 04 2024
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Walking Wounded
Everything But The Girl
Good tunes to have on while trying to concentrate. It was ok.
3
Oct 05 2024
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Abbey Road
Beatles
Our descendants will be enjoying, analyzing and discussing Abbey Road for centuries to come. A damn fine album.
4
Oct 06 2024
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New Boots And Panties
Ian Dury
I’m curious how many Australians picked Billericay Dickie as the tune that the infamous Spray & Wipe ad from the 90’s was based on.
Anyway this was cringy, unnecessarily vulgar and reeked of immaturity. I didn’t enjoy it at all. Wake Up And Make Love With made me shudder and the rest of it annoyed me in general. Especially If I Was With A Woman. Ugh.
1
Oct 07 2024
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Raw Like Sushi
Neneh Cherry
No, Neneh Cherry is not for me. It's not bad music but it's too R&B for my tastes.
2
Oct 08 2024
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Live At The Harlem Square Club
Sam Cooke
A rasp to outlast all rasps. The world has not produced many vocalists like Cooke.
3
Oct 09 2024
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The Blueprint
JAY Z
I see this is one of the more influential hip-hop albums, and I can hear something in its production that indicates high quality, but as with almost every other hip-hop album I've been graced with along this project, it doesn't excite my eardrums in the slightest.
2
Oct 10 2024
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Infected
The The
I thought a few tracks had Midnight Oil vibes. It was ok.
3
Oct 11 2024
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Hearts And Bones
Paul Simon
I didn’t know a single track from this album. It was ok, it sounded exactly as I’d expect a Paul Simon album to sound.
3
Oct 12 2024
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At Folsom Prison
Johnny Cash
My second spin of this classic album. I’m a fan. This is so Johnny Cash, to record live in front of the incarcerated, bringing a speck of the outside to their otherwise (rightfully) miserable lives.
4
Oct 13 2024
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Eli And The Thirteenth Confession
Laura Nyro
Pleasant vocal jazz but all songs sounded a little samey
3
Oct 14 2024
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The Lexicon Of Love
ABC
I knew Poison Arrow from GTA Vice City. I was never a fan of it, it’s far too cheesy 80’s for my liking, as was the remainder of Love’s apparent Lexicon.
2
Oct 15 2024
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Synchronicity
The Police
I found this to be more rock and less on the new-wave side, which I liked. I'd never heard Synchronicity in full before and I quite enjoyed the newly-discovered album tracks, of which Synchronicity II was my favourite. I appreciated this album more than I did Reggatta De Blanc. I'll still score it a 3 but it's on the higher side.
3
Oct 16 2024
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Doolittle
Pixies
Monkey Gone To Heaven is a harsh & grungy sounding track which would normally eat away at my ears, but I didn't mind it, I'm pretty sure I've heard it in a movie before so it gave me a sense of nostalgia. Here Comes Your Man is a classic. The rest was ok.
3
Oct 17 2024
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Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J
I had high hopes for LL Cool J because I adore Luka Bloom's cover of I Need Love. I don't know how I thought there could be any stylistic similarity between these two artists, because there certainly isn't.
2
Oct 18 2024
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Music From Big Pink
The Band
I can't get into The Band, no matter how hard I try. I think covers of The Band songs are, generally speaking, better than the originals. Case in point: The Weight. It's a fantastic song, but this far from the flagship version. Maybe this is unpatriotic of me as a naturalized Canadian, but I thought this album was dull. A high 2, rounded up to 3.
3
Oct 19 2024
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The Suburbs
Arcade Fire
Not as good as Neon Bible. The title track is memorable, the rest was ok.
3
Oct 20 2024
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The Undertones
The Undertones
This is punk I can get behind, unlike most other I’ve heard. Catchy, poppy vibes going on here. Teenage Kicks and Family Entertainment were my faves.
3
Oct 21 2024
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90
808 State
A good album to get on a Sunday morning when I have my workout planned. I think I was familiar with Pacific 202 but I'm not so sure, either way it was a pretty decent track. I would explore more of 808 State although electronica isn't exactly my genre of choice.
3
Oct 22 2024
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Back In Black
AC/DC
I knew before pushing play on Back In Black this morning that it'd be an easy 4, but by the end I was convinced it should receive the highest accolade. It's gotta be the greatest comeback of all time considering the tragic events barely 5 months prior to its release. The level of arse this continues to kick after 44 years is beyond belief.
5
Oct 23 2024
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The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
David Bowie
The better of the Bowie albums I've heard so far. Many hits on this one, but still not enough to really warm the cockles of my heart.
3
Oct 24 2024
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The Next Day
David Bowie
Enough David Bowie already. Two days in a row; my 6th in less than a year. Jesus Christ. I get it was the surprise album of the century but musically it's just standard Bowie to me.
3
Oct 25 2024
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1989
Taylor Swift
I have to dress up as a Swiftie next week for Halloween. She sounds so outrageously polished, I may as well dunk myself in lacquer.
3
Oct 26 2024
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Songs Of Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
The chord progression really irked me in Stories Of The Street, especially the A - Am change. As someone who lives in Montreal and sees one of his murals from the office tower most days of the week, I should be more into the musical darling of this city, but I struggle to hear the appeal.
2
Oct 27 2024
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Billion Dollar Babies
Alice Cooper
I didn't imagine this would be Cooper's most popular album, I would have thought School's Out. It was decent. No More Mr Nice Guy is clearly the standout. I Love The Dead was left cycling through my head for most of the day.
3
Oct 28 2024
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Let's Stay Together
Al Green
Quite a nice one, very classy. Enjoyed the Bee Gees cover. I saw him live once at a free show in Sydney in 2010 but had no idea who he was at the time.
3
Oct 29 2024
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The Number Of The Beast
Iron Maiden
This was a surprisingly solid album, I've never cared for Iron Maiden before but I got into this more than I thought I would. This old-school metal is not a genre of choice so I can't justify giving it more than a 3 from a personal enjoyment perspective, but I can acknowledge it's a rockin' one.
3
Oct 30 2024
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Wild Wood
Paul Weller
I didn't know much about Paul Weller but I wasn't expecting him to sound so country.
3
Oct 31 2024
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Cee-Lo Green... Is The Soul Machine
Cee Lo Green
I only knew the F You song from this guy, I wasn’t expecting an actual soul machine. It was good - a high 3.
3
Nov 01 2024
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Movies
Holger Czukay
This was great! What a fun discovery. I loved Cool In The Pool. Such a funky, jazzy, interesting little tune to start off my day. The remaining three tracks were top-notch as well. I've saved another Czukay album to listen to another day. A very solid 4 from me.
4
Nov 02 2024
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Highway 61 Revisited
Bob Dylan
The better of the Bobby D albums so far, but overall he’s still not to my liking
3
Nov 03 2024
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Little Earthquakes
Tori Amos
I quite enjoyed this Tori Amos record, there were some nice discoveries on here, especially Crucify. I saw on the Deluxe version there's a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit which was quite haunting. It left me slightly curious about finding out more about her.
3
Nov 04 2024
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MTV Unplugged In New York
Nirvana
30 years and 4 days since its release, at the time of writing this review. It's a classic, one of the ultimate collections of acoustic reinterpretations in existence. The difference between the studio and unplugged version of About A Girl is phenomenal, it's a standout along with All Apologies and Where Did You Sleep Last Night. I never appreciated the harshness of grunge in my formative years, but MTV Unplugged is the album that allowed Nirvana to shine through to me.
4
Nov 05 2024
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The ArchAndroid
Janelle Monáe
Quite an eclectic, soulful and unique record. Oh, Maker and Come Alive were my favourites.
3
Nov 06 2024
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Calenture
The Triffids
I’m surprised to see The Triffids made the list - and I’m surprised it was Calenture and not Born Sandy Devotional, which contains their flagmark piece, Wide Open Road.
A Western Australian rock band with some minor hits in the 80’s, they gained a cult following but never found much commercial success before the untimely death of frontman David McComb.
I have a high interest in songs that mention Australian locations, so I was pleased to hear Jerdacuttup Man. I’m always happy when Aussie music is featured here in general, but overall this comes in for me at a pretty bog-standard 3 stars.
3
Nov 07 2024
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Behaviour
Pet Shop Boys
The title of track #1 sums it all up.
2
Nov 08 2024
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Dub Housing
Pere Ubu
Umm... what, now? Eclectically irritating.
2
Nov 09 2024
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Get Behind Me Satan
The White Stripes
What a record! I’m not sure I ever spun this in full before, but I remember many of its tracks fondly from its high Triple J rotation back in the day.
A year or so ago I stumbled upon My Doorbell after not hearing it for yonks, but I’d totally forgotten about other classics like Blue Orchid and Denial Twist until today. This was a great trip back to 21 year old me. My level of respect for Jack White has increased a notch.
4
Nov 10 2024
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G. Love And Special Sauce
G. Love & Special Sauce
I enjoy blues. I’m ok with stoner rock. I can tolerate some non-vulgar hip hop. But I realized I’m not a fan when those three genres combine.
2
Nov 11 2024
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Cheap Thrills
Big Brother & The Holding Company
I should have chosen a stronger coffee to drink to this one. Joplin had such a powerful voice, didn’t she?
3
Nov 12 2024
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Bayou Country
Creedence Clearwater Revival
There’s something about the sound quality of Creedence recordings that makes them sound antiquated. This isn’t their best release but it has a few cracking tunes on it. The title track is the standout.
3
Nov 13 2024
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My Aim Is True
Elvis Costello
I bopped along with this. Watching The Detectives was the standout, due to familiarity, but I quite enjoyed the rest of the album especially considering it was his debut. Not enough to put it into 4 star status, but it’s a high 3.
3
Nov 14 2024
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Talking Heads 77
Talking Heads
My 365th album review! A pretty decent one to celebrate my first year through this project. It’s damn fine for a debut. It’s hard to believe a classic like Psycho Killer is among their first work.
3
Nov 15 2024
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Be
Common
Is that - wait - yes it is - *wholesome vibes* I hear coming from these hiphop tunes? I will never be a hiphop convert, but I can appreciate these beats much more than their vulgar counterparts.
3
Nov 16 2024
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The Atomic Mr Basie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
I was excited to get this one, but soon realized that as much as I enjoy jazz, I don’t dig the big band stuff so much.
3
Nov 17 2024
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Fear Of Music
Talking Heads
Quite mediocre. Their debut was more engaging.
3
Nov 18 2024
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New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84)
Simple Minds
Yeah, nah, this is sub-mediocre 80’s new wave shite.
2
Nov 19 2024
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Tommy
The Who
I love it! This is by far my most-played album of the past year, it’s a joy to hear it yet again. My wife adores this album to the point that it now holds great nostalgic value to me.
A month or two ago I had lunch in a restaurant at Jay Peak, VT, and the song Tommy Can You Hear Me? played over the radio. I took a video of it to send to her, we joked that I’d been Tommied in the wild.
It’s getting the coveted 5 stars, first & foremost for sentimental reasons, but as well as that, it’s such a great jam.
5
Nov 20 2024
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Grievous Angel
Gram Parsons
I didn't care much for the music, but the guy has a fascinating Wikipedia page about the theft of his corpse from the hospital, followed by a partial cremation.
2
Nov 21 2024
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Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz
A classic that reminds me lovingly of my Brazilian wife. We’ve listened to many of these songs together over the years.
4
Nov 22 2024
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In Our Heads
Hot Chip
Frigid fries
3
Nov 23 2024
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Live At Leeds
The Who
Although I’ve become quite the fan of The Who over the past months, I didn’t think this live album was as breathtaking as it’s put out to be. It’s ok, but in my opinion, certainly not “one the greatest live albums and rock recordings of all time” as claimed in Wikipedia.
3
Nov 24 2024
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Appetite For Destruction
Guns N' Roses
What a classic 80’s rock album. One of the biggest & best of all time. We’ll likely never see bands of peak Guns N’ Roses’ calibre again in our lifetime.
4
Nov 25 2024
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Lady In Satin
Billie Holiday
It’s a sweet, elegant collection of vocal jazz tunes, great to have on in the background while cooking a Sunday dinner, but too soft for my day-to-day liking.
3
Nov 26 2024
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Are You Experienced
Jimi Hendrix
It’s better than Electric Ladyland, but I’m learning that I’m not as excited by Hendrix as I once was. I recall being in awe of him as a teen, but after completing the second of his albums via this project, his music just doesn’t speak to me any more. I’m can’t quite put my finger on the reason why.
3
Nov 27 2024
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Post Orgasmic Chill
Skunk Anansie
Interesting collection of tunes with a unique heavy sound. Worthy of a repeat listen.
3
Nov 28 2024
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Selling England By The Pound
Genesis
There was enough here to pull it into 4 star territory, although it’s on the lower side. I was engaged by the progressive folk sounds, it was quite unusual to hear such a blend of styles & instrumentation. This was the first time a Genesis album has captured my attention - attempts in the past have fallen flat.
4
Nov 29 2024
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Soul Mining
The The
I had their album Infected a few months ago which I enjoyed and described as being akin to Midnight Oil. I didn’t feel the same about this album, it came across as the weaker one in my opinion, despite it clearly having the more popular tracks according to Spotify streams.
This Is The Day was vaguely familiar but overall there’s not enough here to push it beyond the halfway mark. I’m afraid it’s a 2.4 for me, rounded down to a 2.
2
Nov 30 2024
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To Pimp A Butterfly
Kendrick Lamar
This kind of music continues to sound like pure filth to me. Vulgar, obnoxious, thug life garbage. Complete and utter shite.
Yes, I acknowledge that within the genre this album is considered one of the all-time greats. I'm certain it possesses rich cultural heritage. I also recognized the quality of the jazz-influenced instrumentation. But altogether this culture is so alien to me, and I've heard enough of it through this project, to affirm to myself that nothing can ever be done to allow my ears to appreciate such sonic abhorrence.
1
Dec 01 2024
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Rid Of Me
PJ Harvey
Meh. Angsty, harsh, too distorted for my liking. Not for me.
2
Dec 02 2024
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New Wave
The Auteurs
The most mediocre of all British alt-rock. Not sure how it made its way onto this list.
2
Dec 03 2024
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Young Americans
David Bowie
Not this bloody guy again. It’s been far too soon since the last instalment of Britain’s most overhyped performer.
2
Dec 04 2024
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Tragic Songs of Life
The Louvin Brothers
I don’t mind a good murder ballad. This was quite good, albeit on the long side. Quality harmonies, a nostalgic golden oldie country & western feel, very interesting stories to say the least. Knoxville Girl was the standout - the juxtaposition between the brutal narrative and the easy-listening musicality is incredible. It takes me back to a memorably dingy bar I went to in London in 2008 where I saw a duo performing in a similar style. I browsed through some of The Louvin Brothers discography and loved the cover art for their album Satan Is Real. A high 3, just scraping past the threshold to round up to a 4.
4
Dec 05 2024
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Remedy
Basement Jaxx
Listenable electronic music but nothing made me jump for joy
3
Dec 06 2024
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The Visitors
ABBA
A peculiar & unexpected ABBA album to be on this list. I don't recall hearing any of these songs before. All things considered, I liked it, it has a darkness that I didn't expect from such a poppy band.
3
Dec 07 2024
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Songs For Swingin' Lovers!
Frank Sinatra
A good, chill, jazzy, easy listening collection featuring some all-time great standards. Nice one, Frankie Boy.
3
Dec 08 2024
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Harvest
Neil Young
I'm not the biggest Neil Young fan in the world, generally I find his music too soft & wistful, but the fact that this record contains Heart Of Gold, Old Man and Needle pushes it into some pretty remarkable territory.
4
Dec 09 2024
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At Fillmore East
The Allman Brothers Band
It’s the second time I’ve listened to this album. Generally I enjoy this kind of progressive, southern jam rock, and I know this is considered one of the quintessential live albums, but I don’t feel it in the way I’d like to feel it. I mean, I want it to strike me on a visceral level - I really do - but my soul doesn’t buy it.
It is enjoyable to listen to. It contains some absolute masterful musicianship; the electric guitar shines down from otherworldly planes on more than a few occasions. These arrangements should send shivers down my spine, but alas, they don’t.
I wonder if it has to do with familiarity? I appreciate the Allman Brothers Band’s radio hit singles but they don’t appear on this album; perhaps the lack of the known contributes to my underwhelmed sensation?
Something did stir me between 12:03 to 12:47 of You Don’t Love Me. The hillbilly guitar part spoke briefly to my soul, although only for a short moment.
I vote overall based on how the album makes me feel, and it disappoints me to offer At Filmore East a mere 3, because from a technical and sonic perspective it rates much higher.
This was the most difficult album for me to rate among the project so far.
3
Dec 10 2024
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Sign 'O' The Times
Prince
I didn't like this at all. Play In The Sunshine sounded awful, like it was recorded in a suitcase. The obnoxious squealing in Hot Thing was completely unneccesary.
I just can't do Prince.
2
Dec 11 2024
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Dry
PJ Harvey
And easy copy & paste of the last review I wrote for a PJ Harvey record:
“Meh. Angsty, harsh, too distorted for my liking. Not for me.”
2
Dec 12 2024
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Merriweather Post Pavilion
Animal Collective
This was a slow creeper. I'd only ever spun a single Animal Collective song a decade ago, according to Last FM. I began with no expectation and finished with satisfaction.
My Girls was the clear standout. Guys Eyes had an interesting jive to it. Bonus points to Lion In A Coma for the jews harp. All 3 made it onto my playlist of top tunes, which doesn’t happen often.
4
Dec 13 2024
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Survivor
Destiny's Child
When this came out in my teenage years I absolute despised it. My youthful, Australian country music-infused mind thought this was the epitome of obnoxious American trash music.
Nowadays, I suppose from gradual exposure, an opening of my once-closed mind, and the realization that much more obnoxiously trash music exists out there, I can tolerate Destiny’s Child. I wouldn’t re-listen any time soon, but I admit to bopping along with Independent Women and Survivor.
3
Dec 14 2024
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Birth Of The Cool
Miles Davis
Although I enjoyed the music, there were times where I didn't even realize it was playing; it sounded like it blended into everyday life. Upon reflection, it struck me as quite generic, for it to be so unnoticeable.
3
Dec 15 2024
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Penthouse And Pavement
Heaven 17
Thankfully only 5 of the 9 tracks were available to stream on Spotify. That's 15 minutes of my life I don't need to waste on shitty electro new-wave.
2
Dec 16 2024
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With The Beatles
Beatles
Not their best of the Beatles’ discography. It was ok.
3
Dec 17 2024
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Blood On The Tracks
Bob Dylan
His strumming style annoys me. Tangled Up In Blue was by far the best track; the rest: meh.
3
Dec 18 2024
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Nilsson Schmilsson
Harry Nilsson
The flagship version of Ken Lee. Coconut is a classic as well.
3
Dec 19 2024
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Ace of Spades
Motörhead
Pretty average, old-school hard rock, akin to Black Sabbath. I see a lot of talk online about Lemmy and how much of a supposed legend he was, but altogether his music isn't really my thing. The title track is alright though.
2
Dec 20 2024
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Odessey And Oracle
The Zombies
Time Of The Season is a classic, the rest was listenable but not outstanding.
3
Dec 21 2024
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Vento De Maio
Elis Regina
I love Elis Regina and have listened to her dulcet tones on repeat in the past, but I'd never encountered this collection before. I've heard records of hers that I would consider a high 4, but Vento De Maio comes in at a rather mediocre 3. From what I could gather, this is a posthumous release, perhaps not the best for inclusion on such a prestigious list.
3
Dec 22 2024
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A Love Supreme
John Coltrane
Great stuff! Coltrane, Tyner, Garrison and Jones kept my soul warm whilst out on a walk in the -18° Montreal winter. All four pieces were masterful but Psalm spoke to me the most. This absolutely deserves a repeat spin.
4
Dec 23 2024
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Casanova
The Divine Comedy
I enjoyed his baritone and the obscure musicality. It was good for a single listen although it doesn’t rank highly in the repeatable factor.
3
Dec 24 2024
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A Northern Soul
The Verve
I like The Verve, but A Northern Soul has nothing on Urban Hymns. I don't think there's a need for this one to be on the 1001 list. Something in its melancholic electric guitar intro drew me into So It Goes, but the rest of the album sounded like pretty straightforward Britpop.
3
Dec 25 2024
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I Am a Bird Now
Antony and the Johnsons
This was a very enjoyable and entrancing new discovery for me. I was roped in by the obscurely ethereal first song, Hope There's Someone, and I remained at this level of curiosity and engagement throughout the album.
4
Dec 26 2024
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Crosby, Stills & Nash
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Santa was good to me! I was happy to again hear this masterclass of fantastic songwriting and harmonies. The doo-doo-doo-doo-doo’s from Suite: Judy Blue Eyes stuck with me for hours afterwards. Helplessly Hoping has got to be up there with the greatest songs of its genre. A truly wonderful album.
4
Dec 27 2024
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Rattus Norvegicus
The Stranglers
I was put off by the opening line: "Someday I'm going to smack your face". I'm not a fan of overtly violent lyrics like this. From a musicality perspective it was at least listenable. It didn't sound as obnoxious as some other punk I've heard over the months; this acts as salvation from a single star.
2
Dec 28 2024
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2112
Rush
I see this album talked about on Reddit a lot as one of the greatest rock albums of all time. I’ve spun a small amount of Rush in my time but never 2112. I thought it was ok but not extraordinary. It has potential to grow on me after a couple of listens, but at first spin it comes in as a 3/5.
3
Dec 29 2024
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Queens of the Stone Age
Queens of the Stone Age
Regular John was recognizable, and the guitar outro of You Can’t Quit Me Baby was the best part of the album. Pretty good rock collection going on here.
3
Dec 30 2024
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Moondance
Van Morrison
This was a nice companion for my walk through a foggy, snowy Montreal day. The opening two tracks were phenomenal: And It Stoned Me and Moondance; but I lost some interest as the album progressed.
3
Dec 31 2024
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Truth And Soul
Fishbone
An interesting mishmash of sounds and genres going on here. One Day was my choice track, something about the funky bass/electric and the bi-dom-bom-bom-bom's tickled my fancy. I liked it for its variety and would potentially check out more of their discography.
3
Jan 01 2025
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#1 Record
Big Star
Another unmemorable, middle-of-the-range American rock band. I’m surprised I haven’t really heard their stuff before.
3
Jan 02 2025
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California
American Music Club
Too dreary an album to bring in the new year. They invoke bands like The Smiths and The Go-Betweens. I thought the opener "Firefly" was alright, but after a few more tracks it really started to drag. It's listenable, but not to my liking at this time, I need to be in a certain mood to get into this.
2
Jan 03 2025
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The Notorious Byrd Brothers
The Byrds
Not much to say about this one. Nothing stood out to me as exceptional, it was all pretty mediocre, but listenable.
3
Jan 04 2025
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Atomizer
Big Black
Obnoxious punk shite
2
Jan 05 2025
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The Last Of The True Believers
Nanci Griffith
I’d never heard of her before but my first thought was of Kasey Chambers: surely she must have been heavily influenced by Nanci Griffith? There is a huge similarity in sound. And indeed, I’ve since discovered Chambers has covered Griffith’s songs before.
I probably won’t listen to Griffith again but it was mostly listenable. A low 3/5.
3
Jan 06 2025
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You Are The Quarry
Morrissey
Not gonna lie, America Is Not The World was actually pretty funny. I respect that. I appreciated this album more than I thought I would.
3
Jan 07 2025
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Rain Dogs
Tom Waits
I had Swordfishtrombones about 6 months ago and I wasn't a fan at all. Something felt different about Rain Dogs though. It was remarkably varied, and the title track especially was quite the earworm. It's not enough to convert me into a true Waits fan but I'll still give this collection a hearty 3 stars.
3
Jan 08 2025
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The Madcap Laughs
Syd Barrett
I didn't think much of this. I understand Barrett was a genius in his own very unique way, but that didn't make this collection of tracks any more appealing to me.
2
Jan 09 2025
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Moving Pictures
Rush
Tom Sawyer is a pure classic. I loved it. This highest rating Rush album I’ve heard so far.
4
Jan 10 2025
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Leftism
Leftfield
Satisfactory electronic tunes to ease this winter day
3
Jan 11 2025
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Planet Rock: The Album
Afrika Bambaataa
It's not my cuppa tea but I much prefer this old-school 80's hip-hop over the vulgar NWA / Ghostface Killer kind of shite I've hear throughout this project.
2
Jan 12 2025
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Clube Da Esquina
Milton Nascimento
I quite enjoyed this. Brazilian music holds a special place in my heart, and apparently I’d spun a few Nascimento tracks in the past too (although I don’t remember them). Paisagem De Janela was the most memorable tune of the lot. An entry-level 4/5.
4
Jan 13 2025
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Horses
Patti Smith
Quite strange. I wasn’t expecting this punkish vibe or harsh vocal delivery. Not for me.
2
Jan 14 2025
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Daydream Nation
Sonic Youth
I thought the first half was better, it dragged on a bit in the second and felt harsher / more aggressive. A high 2, rounded up to a 3.
3
Jan 15 2025
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Underwater Moonlight
The Soft Boys
It was alright for a band I’ve never heard of before. I can see how they were considered rock underground. Definitely not a commercial sound but still overall listenable.
3
Jan 16 2025
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Beauty And The Beat
The Go-Go's
They found a sound and they stuck with it. Our Lips Are Sealed is a classic, the rest had more or less the same ambience.
3
Jan 17 2025
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It's Blitz!
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
I love the cover art, but I can't say the same about the music. Quite uninteresting 00's indie.
2
Jan 18 2025
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Exile In Guyville
Liz Phair
It's very early 90's indie, and I normally appreciate early 90's indie, but I'm not enraptured about Liz Phair and don't quite understand how it's such a critically-acclaimed album. I must say the instrumental opening of Canary was very nice, though.
3
Jan 19 2025
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I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight
Richard Thompson
I really enjoyed this. I'm somewhat familiar with the works of Richard Thompson and have more or less appreciated what I've heard of his so far, but this album kept me engaged me throughout. Great musicianship, clear & audible production, folksy with some edge and not too much on the hippie side. I would listen again and will happily explore more of Thompson in the future.
4
Jan 20 2025
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Duck Rock
Malcolm McLaren
First track was ok, the rest was annoying and obnoxious. No thanks.
2
Jan 21 2025
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Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
THIS is the kind of album I joined this project for! I’d never heard of Tortoise before but I really connected with them; I don’t often reach this level of engagement with an artist on the first listen. Djed was completely mystifying, it took me to a faraway land. The Taut And Tame sounded hypnotizing with the background helicopter. But my favourite was the closer, Along The Banks of Rivers. That twangy guitar is sublime. I have their subsequent album, TNT, queued up to listen to next.
I'm very conservative in awarding 5/5's. So far, such an honour has only gone to a very select few classic records that I have a deep level of familiarity with. I'm happy to announce that Millions Now Living Will Never Die is the first album I'm offering 5/5 to upon first listen.
Seriously, this was great. I'm genuinely impressed with this discovery.
5
Jan 22 2025
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The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
A band I’m familiar with by name only; I’ve barely heard any of their work despite being well aware of their existence. Waterfall was a very nice song, it reminded me a bit of Godless by the Dandy Warhols. The other tracks were ok, it dragged on a bit, but decent enough for a solid 3.
3
Jan 23 2025
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461 Ocean Boulevard
Eric Clapton
I consider myself a Clapton fan, but I wasn’t so familiar with this collection aside from the Sheriff song. It wasn’t bad, but not at all my favourite Clapton album.
3
Jan 24 2025
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Kings Of The Wild Frontier
Adam & The Ants
I had absolutely no anterest in either Adam or his Ants.
2
Jan 25 2025
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Justified
Justin Timberlake
Much like Destiny’s Child, which I had recently, when this album was released my 18 year old ears couldn’t stand it. But today, 23 years later, I find it listenable and even enjoyable. Quite a few recognizable, radio-friendly hits. I enjoyed Like I Love You which I don’t recall hearing before, I liked how it was mostly made up of a single chord.
3
Jan 26 2025
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The Fat Of The Land
The Prodigy
Pretty good stuff. I recall thinking of this kind of electro-rock music as very extreme when I was in my teens, but today it’s quite listenable & enjoyable.
3
Jan 27 2025
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Armed Forces
Elvis Costello & The Attractions
I was surprised at how engaging this album was. The only tune I was familiar with was Oliver’s Army, a fantastically head-bopping piece despite a serious subject matter, but every other song had a similar upbeat feel. I would absolutely spin Armed Forces again with great pleasure.
4
Jan 28 2025
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Halcyon Digest
Deerhunter
It’s my first time hearing of Deerhunter. It’s the epitome of American 00’s indie. Quite repetitive and drone-like at times. I enjoyed Memory Boy the most.
3
Jan 29 2025
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69 Love Songs
The Magnetic Fields
My second time listening to this monstrosity. It would have really pissed me off if it was a work day today, but thankfully I was travelling cross-US so I had time to kill with this rather extensive record keeping me company. It’s good music, a bit too indie for my liking, but nothing spectacular and of course two hours longer than it needs to be. Time Enough For Rocking When We’re Old was my favourite, it reminded me of Crash Test Dummies.
3
Jan 30 2025
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The Gershwin Songbook
Ella Fitzgerald
I had 69 Love Songs on Tuesday and The Gershwin Songbook on Wednesday. What kind of cruel joke are the music gods playing on me?
Fitzgerald’s voice is magnificent, but the full 3:14 was far too much for album format.
3
Jan 31 2025
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The Man Who
Travis
The rain song is a 90’s masterpiece. The rest of the album is filler but it’s listenable filler.
3
Feb 01 2025
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Meat Puppets II
Meat Puppets
I was trying to put my finger on where I’d heard of the Meat Puppets before and it all fell into place after hearing Lake Of Fire which Nirvana covered (I didn’t recognize Plateau or Oh, Me). They’re not really my cuppa tea. I’m giving them a 2, but it’s on the higher side because I quite enjoyed I’m A Mindless Idiot.
2
Feb 02 2025
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Olympia 64
Jacques Brel
I just relocated after living for 3 years living in a French-speaking territory. Listening to this gave me PTSD.
2
Feb 03 2025
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Kenza
Khaled
I enjoyed this guy, it was quite refreshing to hear some Algerian music. I’ll give him a 3 but it’s on the higher side of the scale. Imagine was out of place but I bopped along with the rest.
3
Feb 04 2025
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Devil Without A Cause
Kid Rock
I thought I’d cringe (well, to be fair, I did cringe), but the music was a lot more enjoyable than I thought it’d be. Quite a lot was recognizable too. Kid Rock was more ingrained in my mind than I imagined.
3
Feb 05 2025
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Crocodiles
Echo And The Bunnymen
Yawn. Typical unexciting new wave
2
Feb 06 2025
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Sulk
The Associates
I’m fed up with the crappy 80’s new wave. Please God, enough.
2
Feb 07 2025
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My Life In The Bush Of Ghosts
Brian Eno
Great album art. Quite experiential music. Pretty good but wouldn’t listen again.
3
Feb 08 2025
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Can't Buy A Thrill
Steely Dan
The best of the Steely Dan albums so far. I wasn’t such a fan of the others but this is the one that spoke to me. Do It Again is such a good opener.
4
Feb 09 2025
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Shleep
Robert Wyatt
It’s incredible what a solid opener can do to an album! Heaps Of Sheeps was eclectic, eccentric, unique and highly engaging; I was invested from this moment on, although I thought it started to drag about half way through.
I’ve never heard of Wyatt before but looking over his history he has a fascinating life. I can’t begin to imagine how paraplegia would affect your creativity, but it appears Wyatt used this well to his advantage.
I was hung up about whether this was a 3 or a 4, it’s a high 3 in the end.
3
Feb 10 2025
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Melodrama
Lorde
3 albums in a row with an incredible opener. Green Light is a sure-fire BOOM!! I love it! The energy remained through the rest of the album too. I’ve listened to this a few times in the past and it’s always a pleasure to come back to. I’m happy to score it a 4.
4
Feb 11 2025
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Psychocandy
The Jesus And Mary Chain
Nothing to see here but incessant, irritating noise.
2
Feb 12 2025
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System Of A Down
System Of A Down
Hmm, I’m ok with some of Toxicity out of familiarity, but there’s not enough on their self-titled to keep me happily entertained. It’s a bit too harsh for my taste.
2
Feb 13 2025
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Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
I'm very partial to Brazilian music and I love some bossa nova, but I was expecting more from the daughter of João Gilberto, if I'm honest. It's not that it was bad, she is clearly a very talented singer, but she doesn't have the same soul that I hear in the recordings of the classic singers. Nothing stood out to me and I wouldn't listen again in a hurry. It's on the higher side of 2/5 but just rounds up to a 3.
3
Feb 14 2025
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At Mister Kelly's
Sarah Vaughan
Sublime! I’ve never consciously taken note of Sarah Vaughan before, but this album leaves me wanting to know more. I loved the little mistake made at the end of Willow Weep For Me. It’s so real.
4
Feb 15 2025
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Sound of Silver
LCD Soundsystem
I didn’t connect with the bulk of the album, but I recognize that All My Friends was a thrilling creation. It made its way onto my favourites playlist.
3
Feb 16 2025
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Pyromania
Def Leppard
This collection didn’t contain any of my favoured Def Leppard songs. Quite mediocre.
3
Feb 17 2025
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Come Away With Me
Norah Jones
A modern classic. One of the golden voices of contemporary jazz. Don't Know Why and Come Away With Me are pure delights to listen to.
4
Feb 18 2025
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Spiderland
Slint
I found this to be pretty average, nothing to write home about. Good musicianship but it didn’t speak to my soul. It just rounds up to a 3, but it was close.
3
Feb 19 2025
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The World is a Ghetto
War
The best-selling album of 1973? I’ve never consciously heard of War before (although I had listened to a handful of tracks in the past according to Last.FM). This will be interesting…
Upon listening, my presumption was that with a name like War they’d be akin to Black Sabbath, when actually they were a soul band. That was unexpected.
It was pretty good, I’d say a high 3 rounded up to a 4. The standout was City, Country, City with its harmonica & sax fills. I’d listen to War again, this was a nice discovery.
4
Feb 20 2025
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Bandwagonesque
Teenage Fanclub
I’m hearing a little Dandy Warhols, a little Hoodoo Gurus, a little Magnetic Fields too. I’m quite the fan especially of the first two listed, but Teenage Fanclub seems like a watered down version of the three. They’d probably grow on me if I spun the album 3 or 4 times, but I don’t have the inclination for this at the moment, so they’ll have to settle with a 2.
2
Feb 21 2025
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The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
Decent for a hip-hop album. I quite enjoy these guys compared to the obnoxious vulgar shite we get subjected to across this project.
3
Feb 22 2025
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Document
R.E.M.
If you haven’t heard it before, check out Great Big Sea’s cover of End Of The World, it’s Celtic rock awesomeness.
3
Feb 23 2025
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Parallel Lines
Blondie
A couple of classics on this one, including a few I recognized but didn’t realize were by Blondie. I was never a major fan of this band but it was nice to hear a full album.
3
Feb 24 2025
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Chemtrails Over The Country Club
Lana Del Rey
The title track is very sweet, I recall hearing it before and I added it to my playlist. The rest of the album dragged on a bit but it was more or less enjoyable.
3
Feb 25 2025
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Truth
Jeff Beck
My first thought was that Jeff Beck sounds an awful lot like Rod Stewart, but I eventually realized what was going on.
One thing that struck me was that his version of Greensleeves was raw and unpolished compared to today’s standards. If someone today was to record a similar version it would be done to perfection with minimal noise and free of mistakes. I liked the authenticity of this version from 1968.
Overall it was pretty good.
3
Feb 26 2025
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They Were Wrong, So We Drowned
Liars
"Noise rock". You're not wrong.
2
Feb 27 2025
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Ray Of Light
Madonna
Ray Of Light (the track) was a banger! I knew it but I had no clue it was Madonna. The rest of the album was listenable but I'm not the hugest fan of Madonna-ish pop so I'll take it or leave it.
3
Feb 28 2025
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(What's The Story) Morning Glory
Oasis
Absolute top-tier album from a top-tier rock outfit. One of the all-time greats. The whole 50 minutes and 6 seconds remains a treat to this day. I’m still hopeful I’ll stumble upon tickets to this year’s tour.
5
Mar 01 2025
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Felt Mountain
Goldfrapp
Nothing special about this. It just makes it over the midway.
3
Mar 02 2025
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Good Old Boys
Randy Newman
I’d like to revisit this album again. I think it could grow on me. I recognize there was something particular about its lyricism, its storytelling, its concept, that’s worth delving into a bit deeper. I was familiar with Guilty via the Jimmy Barnes / Joe Cocker cover, this was the first time hearing the original version as far as I’m aware. For a first listen it was ok, a solid 3.
3
Mar 03 2025
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Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge
Mudhoney
Irritating grunge performed in a way I don't enjoy
2
Mar 04 2025
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Music For The Jilted Generation
The Prodigy
I never enjoyed The Prodigy when I was a young whippersnapper, mostly because there was a total jerk at school named Cameron, who would constantly blast this band through his shitty CD Walkman speakers and rave about how hardcore they were. This arsewipe of an excuse for a human later went to prison for being the ringleader of a highly illegal online forum, so I always associated his awful character with awful taste in music.
A quarter of a century later, here I am giving them another chance. This is their second album I've had as part of this project, and I realize they're not that bad; I got through both records without suffering from high school flashbacks. I knew Voodoo People, which I didn't even realize was by The Prodigy. They're not a collective I'd be quick to listen to again, but I can appreciate how they were so influential to 90's electronic/rave.
3
Mar 05 2025
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Tago Mago
Can
I appreciated the experimental nature of these tunes but the music itself didn't speak to me so much.
3
Mar 06 2025
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O.G. Original Gangster
Ice T
First and last time listening to this obnoxious twat
1
Mar 07 2025
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The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators
The 13th Floor Elevators
A poor man's Zombies. There's no reason for this to be on the list.
2
Mar 08 2025
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1977
Ash
This was alright. I’m only really familiar with their song Burn Baby Burn, the tunes on this record didn’t quite go as hard, but it was worth a spin
3
Mar 09 2025
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American Beauty
Grateful Dead
I don’t get the cult following behind the Dead. To me this is standard folk/rock, I can’t pick anything about them that speaks to my soul.
3
Mar 10 2025
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Pieces Of The Sky
Emmylou Harris
Queen Of The Silver Dollar struck me as the best of this collection, a toe-tappin’ happy singalong. It was good overall, I don’t mind a bit of Emmylou Harris in small-to-medium doses.
3
Mar 11 2025
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Bert Jansch
Bert Jansch
I really liked this. I added a few songs to my playlist of favourites, Strolling Down The Highway, Running From Home and Angie. Apparently I’ve listened to Jansch a handful of times in the past but this is the first time I’ve paid attention to him. He’s on a similar level to Nick Drake, another favourite I’ve discovered via this project, and he’s someone I will surely investigate further.
4
Mar 12 2025
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The Rising
Bruce Springsteen
Fantastic stuff. Lonesome Day and The Rising are my definite standout tracks, both very powerful and stirring, but the album as a whole has a lot of strength. It's a step above Darkness on the Edge of Town which I had earlier. I'm a big Springsteen fan primarily due to his output from around this era.
4
Mar 13 2025
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Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs
Derek & The Dominos
One of the all-time classics which I've spun a number of times, and it's certainly good, but there's a long way between the grandiosity of the album's title track and the B-sides. Layla is a true 5 star song; one or two others come in at 4, but the majority of the album tracks are more in the 2-3 range, leaving it overall at a 3. Seriously though, Layla's piano outro is one of THE ultimate moments in rock music.
3
Mar 14 2025
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Brown Sugar
D'Angelo
Hmm… talented guy, but this genre ain’t for me at all. I knew the Cruisin’ song but I didn’t like it. Gwyneth Paltrow did it better.
2
Mar 15 2025
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The Sounds Of India
Ravi Shankar
This was a very good album. I’ve touched on Ravi Shankar a handful of times in the past but this is my favourite work of his that I’ve had the pleasure to hear. I appreciated his commentary. I was quite fascinated when he pointed out one of the common timings - the two sets of 5 beats - it was fascinating to hear how well this sits with Indian music. Although not something I’d tune into every day, I will certainly revisit this recording, and Shankar in general, in the future.
4
Mar 16 2025
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Low
David Bowie
Bowie again? Enough!!!
3
Mar 17 2025
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Another Green World
Brian Eno
Brian Eno is featured in this project too much for my liking. I didn’t enjoy this album. In no way did it engage me.
2
Mar 18 2025
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Larks' Tongues In Aspic
King Crimson
A completely new discovery for me according to Last.FM, not a single King Crimson scrobble until today. It grew on me. It blended into the background to begin with but by Larks’ Tongues In Aspic (Part II) I’d become a bit more intrigued by its progressivity. I would listen to them again.
3
Mar 19 2025
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Autobahn
Kraftwerk
I can essentially repeat what I wrote last time these blokes came up: “standard old-school electronic tunes”.
I was even less of a fan of this album. The autobahn song went on for way too long and irritated me.
Overall a high 2, rounded up to a 3.
3
Mar 20 2025
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The Dreaming
Kate Bush
I’m sorry Kate Bush but you irritate me. I didn’t enjoy this.
2
Mar 21 2025
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Trans Europe Express
Kraftwerk
How many times does Kraftwork need to feature in this list? Once is more than enough but this is the third. If I wanted more music like this I’d refurbish my Commodore 64 and give the old SID chip a spin.
2
Mar 22 2025
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Rings Around The World
Super Furry Animals
This is a band I’ve been exposed to in recent years and I’ve quick become a fan. I love this kind of upbeat, quirky pop, they’re kinda like a Welsh version of the Barenaked Ladies. Juxtaposed With U is a fantastic song, and after reading the wiki I had to listen to Receptacle For The Respectable again to catch the celery & carrot (it’s too buried in the mix). There were a few other head-boppers in this collection too. Great stuff.
4
Mar 23 2025
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Rejoicing In The Hands
Devendra Banhart
I'd heard of Devendra in the past via a folk-loving friend who raved in an almost cult-like manner about how fantastic he was. Listened to a few tracks here & there over the years but this is the first album I recall listening to in full. It was ok. Very folksy indeed, but with an edge to it. No particular standout moment.
3
Mar 24 2025
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Sail Away
Randy Newman
I quite like Randy Newman, it's the second of his albums I've had now. I can't fully get into him; I've engaged with about half the songs per collection I've heard so far, but the ones I have engaged with I genuinely enjoy. I wasn't a fan of You Can Leave Your Hat on, compared to the Joe Cocker version.
3
Mar 25 2025
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Butterfly
Mariah Carey
Whingy, whiny, scrawny bloody voice
2
Mar 26 2025
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Being There
Wilco
Wilco is ok, it's chill, listenable folk/rock. I preferred their stuff with Billy Bragg. This album went on for a bit too long.
3
Mar 27 2025
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Stripped
Christina Aguilera
Christina, Mariah, it’s all the same wibbly-wobbly whiny vocal gymnastics garbage. Yeah she’s talented but this kind of music grinds my gears.
2
Mar 28 2025
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Superfly
Curtis Mayfield
This was an interesting album in that it's one of the few I listened to twice, because I wasn't sure how much I enjoyed it the first time around. Was there enough to warrant a 4 star? In the end I decided no, it's a 3. It's enjoyable, funky music, but not soul-stirring.
3
Mar 29 2025
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Hms Fable
Shack
Well here's a band that's mostly escaped my radar, aside from a single, clearly unmemorable spin in 2014 according to my Last.FM stats. This was a great album. I love Britpop, particularly bands like James, Super Furry Animals, Oasis, Stereophonics, and Shack fit right in with this mix. Lend’s Some Dough was the standout track and has been added to my playlist of faves. I will explore more of their discography.
4
Mar 30 2025
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Triangle
The Beau Brummels
A poor-man's lovechild of Bob Dylan and The Beatles.
2
Mar 31 2025
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Dare!
The Human League
Typical British new-wave album feat. a heavily-played, recognizable radio single. Not my cuppa tea.
2
Apr 01 2025
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Your New Favourite Band
The Hives
Pretty rockin'. Hate To Say I Told You So is an '00's radio classic, the rest are alright. A low 3.
3
Apr 02 2025
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Cosmo's Factory
Creedence Clearwater Revival
What a record, a pure 70's classic. I enjoyed this, it had the perfect mix of familiar classic rock radio staples as well as a selection of tracks you don't hear so much on the radio, which are - and this is key - of very high quality. Every track had a reason to be there, I heard no filler. Before You Accuse Me was a nice surprise, I'd never heard the Creedence version of this, and I don't recall hearing the 11 minute version of Grapevine before, this was epic.
4
Apr 03 2025
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Homework
Daft Punk
I don’t mind Daft Punk, or this style of high-energy electronic music, but in small doses only. I found myself engrossed in the opening track, Daftendirekt, it was very sonically catching. The album went for a bit too long but it was decent, with 2 or 3 recognizable pieces.
3
Apr 04 2025
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Clandestino
Manu Chao
I appreciated reading the story behind this one, especially the anecdote about the cow he met in a Rio favela that gave him a new sense of purpose. It gave me a good context to appreciate the music even more. It wasn't enough to score a 4 but it's on the high side of 3. I respect Clandestino.
3
Apr 05 2025
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Golden Hour
Kacey Musgraves
I know of Kacey Musgraves from her tour and work with Keith Urban, and I've listened to this album once before in 2019, but I don't really remember it. Slow Burn is such a great song! I've added it to my list of favourites. Actually it's my 4th time spinning it and I don’t recall the previous times, but I really took notice of it this time. The rest of the album was good quality but it didn't reach the same heights as Slow Burn. A high 3 overall.
3
Apr 06 2025
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A Walk Across The Rooftops
The Blue Nile
Meh. This one was pretty meaningless to me. I have no intention of listening to The Blue Nile again.
2
Apr 07 2025
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Fear Of A Black Planet
Public Enemy
Absolute shite. The more exposure I have to this genre the more I hate it.
1
Apr 08 2025
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Exodus
Bob Marley & The Wailers
A big album full of Bob Marley hits. I’m not super engaged with Bobby Boy in general, but this was a pretty enjoyable album to play during my evening walk.
3
Apr 09 2025
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My Generation
The Who
Over the past two years I’ve been switched onto The Who by my wife who is quite the fan. I’ve not spun the entirety of My Generation before but I took great pleasure in it. Some quality tracks I don’t recall hearing before such as Out In The Street and I Don’t Mind, plus the rockin’ radio singles like The Kids and the title track. Good stuff.
4
Apr 10 2025
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Chris
Christine and the Queens
This was an interesting discovery. Very poppy, a bit too poppy for my overall liking. I appreciated the English and French versions of the songs. It was quite listenable although nothing in particular stood out to me.
3
Apr 11 2025
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Freak Out!
The Mothers Of Invention
Ludicrous Frank Zappa Shit
1
Apr 12 2025
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Bossanova
Pixies
Pixies, schmixies. I didn’t care for this. Annoying and noisy.
2
Apr 13 2025
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Something/Anything?
Todd Rundgren
I enjoyed I Saw The Light, that's probably a 4/5 track in itself, but aside from that I didn't latch onto anything particularly special here. Nothing to complain about, mind you. It's a mediocre classic rock album.
3
Apr 14 2025
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A Seat at the Table
Solange
I reacted to this better than I would react to her sister, but altogether it’s just not my jam
2
Apr 15 2025
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Modern Kosmology
Jane Weaver
Never heard of Jane Weaver before, this was overall a decent listen, quite a nice voice and chill indie pop overtones to the music.
3
Apr 16 2025
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At Newport 1960
Muddy Waters
Some decent Delta blues going on here. I enjoyed I Got My Brand On You and Baby Please Don’t Go.
3
Apr 17 2025
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Oxygène
Jean-Michel Jarre
This record was very atmospherically fitting while riding the Sydney Harbour ferry during a chilly, rainy evening; particularly the final track with the high-pitched bird-like sounds.
3
Apr 18 2025
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Beautiful Freak
Eels
I find The Eels similar to Beck or Billy Bragg in that I always anticipate not knowing any songs, but a couple turn out to be surprisingly recognizable. In this case it was Susan’s House, which I added to playlist of favourites. The album overall certainly isn't spectacular, but I didn't mind it.
3
Apr 19 2025
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In The Wee Small Hours
Frank Sinatra
A peaceful and timeless album to listen to despite its melancholic subject matter. I didn't recognize any of these pieces, which points to their quality, considering I was engaged throughout.
4
Apr 20 2025
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So
Peter Gabriel
A couple of classic radio singles here, Sledgehammer and Don’t Give Up, both are 4-star songs. I was unfamiliar with the rest of the numbers but they were all satisfactory. A strong 3.
3
Apr 21 2025
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Africa Brasil
Jorge Ben Jor
Another Brazilian album, nice! I liked it, some interesting beats and melodies. Not my favourite of the Brazilian stuff here, I prefer the bossa nova, but still pretty good.
3
Apr 22 2025
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Hot Fuss
The Killers
A legit modern classic full of passionate, kick-arse, singalong rock songs. Three tracks were already on my playlist of favourites and I added two more after this spin. All These Things That I've Done is probably the standout, in my opinion. Let's do this, ladies and gentlemen... let's give it the 5 stars it deserves.
5
Apr 23 2025
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Sex Packets
Digital Underground
Faux-erotic jazz-hop of the highly unimpressive variety. How in the name of The Lord And Saviour Jesus Christ did this stupid concept of an album end up on such a list?
1
Apr 24 2025
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Songs From The Big Chair
Tears For Fears
My ears say cheers to Tears For Fears
4
Apr 25 2025
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The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
Dull hippie drivel. It was a total drag to get through this, I couldn’t wait for it to end.
2
Apr 26 2025
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xx
The xx
They were one of the most popular bands around back in the late 00’s but I don’t really see the appeal of this lo-fi electronica. It’s ok for a single spin but it’s not engaging enough to be repeated often.
3
Apr 27 2025
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World Clique
Deee-Lite
Groove Is In The Heart is the only saving grace on this album, and that’s only because of its familiarity. The rest was far too cheesy early 90’s for my liking.
2
Apr 28 2025
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Aqualung
Jethro Tull
Despite the title track being a classic, its riff has a dissonance that my ears find a bit obnoxious. The rest of the album is ok. I do appreciate Anderson’s generous dabbling of flute throughout.
3
Apr 29 2025
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Blue
Joni Mitchell
I’d heard bits & pieces of Joni Mitchell over the years but it wasn’t until last year that I started to really appreciate her and explore her discography a bit more. I’m a very happy convert. The combination of her raw, wispy voice with her soulful, open-tuned guitar is magical.
This is her flagship album as far as I'm concerned. California, River and A Case Of You are all examples of perfectly crafted songs. The remaining songs are of such a high standard that this is well-deserving of a coveted 5 star rating.
5
Apr 30 2025
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The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
Despite living in Toronto for years, immersing myself in Canadian music and even becoming a Canadian citizen, somehow the Cowboy Junkies have only fallen within my radar today. What a classy & warm recording full of beautiful songs. I loved Blue Moon Revisited; admittedly the album swung too heavily on the woeful side a few times (I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Postcard Blues), but altogether worthy of a solid 4.
4
May 01 2025
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Channel Orange
Frank Ocean
Some groovy beats going on here. Not really my type of music and no particular standout track, but I appreciated hearing it and would be happy with more Frank Ocean in the future. I see on Spotify that he's very popular, more than I thought.
3
May 02 2025
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Marquee Moon
Television
I recognized there was something different about the improvisational structure of these songs but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Reading up about Television I saw they removed the blues element from their music and stuck to more lyrical rock / jazz lines. I agree with this; the album was pretty good.
3
May 03 2025
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Tubular Bells
Mike Oldfield
GET IN! This is a masterpiece of an album that I've been listening to regularly since my youth, thanks to dad's influence. One of my more memorable concert moments was seeing Tubular Bells For Two, featuring two very talented musicians performing the whole of Tubular Bells pt. I and II.
I'm taken on a musical journey through time and space every time I spin this. Mike Oldfield has certainly composed one of the all-time greats.
5
May 04 2025
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The Pleasure Principle
Gary Numan
Cars was good because of the familiarity. I didn’t care so much for the rest of it but it made for alright background music while cleaning.
3
May 05 2025
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Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
Yes it's a beautiful album with some all-time classics, The Boxer, Bridge, Cecilia. Personally I'm not *huge* on Simon & Garfunkel, but I can appreciate them every now & again.
3
May 06 2025
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Live Through This
Hole
Angsty teenage drama put to obnoxious music
2
May 07 2025
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So Much For The City
The Thrills
I’ve never consciously come across The Thrills before. The first two tracks, Santa Cruz and Big Sur were quite strong, I also enjoyed the final track Til The Tide Creeps In. It could become a 4 with some more exposure, but on first listen I’ll settle with a 3.
3
May 08 2025
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High Violet
The National
I didn't mind this, it had a very Gang Of Youths feel (or does Gang Of Youths have a very The National feel?) Bloodbuzz Ohio was the standout, it was good enough to be added to my playlist of favourites. Sometimes consistency can be a drag, but I would note that these guys had a consistency that I appreciated.
3
May 09 2025
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Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
Eurythmics
I forgot Love Is A Stranger was a Eurythmics song. Not a fan of Sweet Dreams, it's way overplayed. Not my favourite album. A low 3.
3
May 10 2025
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Transformer
Lou Reed
Nah, I’ve had enough of Lou Reed throughout this project. Not my kinda music. Walk On The Wild Side was the only saving grace, but only out of familiarity.
2
May 11 2025
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If I Could Only Remember My Name
David Crosby
It was ok. I much prefer Crosby in his band. This album didn’t have the same magic, but it was still listenable.
3
May 12 2025
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Make Yourself
Incubus
A bit too on the heavy side but Drive is a killer 90's rock track. I feel like I Miss You got a bit of rotation back in the day too, it rang a bell. I know this is one of my brother's favourite albums; for me it's pretty solidly right in the middle.
3
May 13 2025
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Third
Portishead
Yawn. Looking back over my history, I see that I didn't mind Dummy, but this one was like watching the grass grow.
2
May 14 2025
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Something Else By The Kinks
The Kinks
Solid album. Waterloo Sunset is of course the standout, but the rest of the tunes turned out ok.
3
May 15 2025
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Arrival
ABBA
Yeah, this is a good album. Full of hits, Dancing Queen, Fernando, Money, Knowing Me Knowing You. I was happy to have discovered Why Did It Have To Be Me, that was a foot-tapper! And I appreciated the instrumental track, Arrival. A smily 4 stars for this classic.
4
May 16 2025
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3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...
Arrested Development
Finally, a hip hop album I can actually say I enjoyed. I had some expectations coming into this based on what I’d read about it celebrating positivity, and those expectations were met. Mama’s Always On Stage immediately struck me as being highly listenable, I loved the inclusion of blues harp, and the rest of the record remained at a similar level of quality. It was very well produced. Unless there’s some big unexpected surprise waiting around the corner, this will likely be the only hip hop through this project that scores a 4 from me.
4
May 17 2025
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Femi Kuti
Femi Kuti
This was some good, funky music, and I really appreciated Kuti’s prior album I heard here, but I thought this one went on for a bit too long. It started to drag.
3
May 18 2025
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Parklife
Blur
Pretty decent Britpop going on here. The radio singles are great fun, the rest of the album was boppy enough. This one is ok for an occasional listen.
3
May 19 2025
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Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Less obnoxious than I thought it’d be. I’ve always written Linkin Park off as being a shitty nu metal band for emo teens but I didn’t mind it, even the album tracks packed some quality. A decent spin.
3
May 20 2025
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Dig Your Own Hole
The Chemical Brothers
Mostly repetitive, electronic buggery, but the album redeemed itself with Where Do I Begin. Which, to be fair, is also repetitive, electronic buggery, but I happened to appreciate it more than the rest.
3
May 21 2025
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This Is Fats Domino
Fats Domino
Fats does alright, but I thought I’d be into him more than I was. He’s definitely skilled on those keys. A rock pioneer but perhaps a little dated to listen to today.
3
May 22 2025
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Tigermilk
Belle & Sebastian
I had a friend who raved on and on about how wonderful and awe-inspiring this band was. I don’t understand. They’re just ok.
3
May 23 2025
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Bone Machine
Tom Waits
There is an old man called Tom Waits
Who, vocally, gristles and grates
To some: he's proficient
To me: insufficient
And deserves rather low-scoring rates
2
May 24 2025
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It's Too Late to Stop Now
Van Morrison
Standard and rather unexciting live album of mediocre 70's numbers which didn't do much to draw me in. I don't understand how this is considered one of the best live albums of all time.
3
May 25 2025
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Neon Bible
Arcade Fire
This takes me back to the good old days of Triple J. Neon Bible was one of the first full albums I remember properly connecting with along my J's journey and it rocked. Both the Car songs are up there but Intervention is my pick of the bunch. Great music, great memories.
4
May 26 2025
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Venus Luxure No. 1 Baby
Girls Against Boys
Mediocre is too positive a word for this album. There's nothing special about this alt-rock collection. Move along now, nothing to see here.
2
May 27 2025
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Car Wheels On A Gravel Road
Lucinda Williams
This was very good. I was familiar with the tracks Car Wheels On A Gravel Road and Can't Let Go but the remaining numbers were pretty new to me. Right In Time has been added to my playlist of faves. It's a very well-produced album with fantastic instrumentation and an all-round great Americana country/folk sound.
4
May 28 2025
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Electric Music For The Mind And Body
Country Joe & The Fish
I like these guys for I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag but their other material on this album isn't anywhere near as strong.
3
May 29 2025
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Ágætis Byrjun
Sigur Rós
Purity, beauty and serenity all in one. I'm a Sigur Rós fan for many years - Takk... being one of my all-time favourite albums - but Ágætis Byrjun is well up there with the best too. Svefn-g-englar is a true sonic journey. I love it.
5
May 30 2025
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Shadowland
k.d. lang
I have fond memories of this album from my childhood. In 1995 my parents bought a 5-disc CD player for the family and k.d. lang's Shadowland (mum's choice) was one of those first 5 CD's that graced its tray. I'm Down To My Last Cigarette remains imprinted in my memory from these days.
4
May 31 2025
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Black Metal
Venom
Obnoxious, unnecessary and generally shit kind of music. Go away.
1
Jun 01 2025
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Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
Pretty much exactly what I'd expect a Bonnie Raitt album to sound like. No standout moments but it was well-listenable.
3
Jun 02 2025
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Repeater
Fugazi
Fugazi and this style of music in general is not for me, I'm afraid. This was 42 minutes of annoying background noise that I couldn't wait to finish.
2
Jun 03 2025
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The Poet
Bobby Womack
Excellent opener which set the scene for a great album. So Many Sides Of You was all kinds of funky and foot-tapping, followed by an equally-as-soulful second track, Lay Your Lovin' On Me. I can see how If You Think You’re Lonely Now was the biggest hit from this release. Soul music can lead me to cringe sometimes but I didn’t get this feeling from The Poet. This is the epitome of cool.
I've never knowingly listened to Bobby Womack before. I'm genuinely pleased with this discovery.
4
Jun 04 2025
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Murder Ballads
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
For a record I’ve never spun before I was surprised at how many tracks I recognized, particularly Wild Roses, Death Is Not The End and Henry Lee. I do enjoy a good murder ballad. This was a great album, quite iconic for its genre. I'm learning through this project that I really enjoy Nick Cave's body of work.
4
Jun 05 2025
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Fly Or Die
N.E.R.D
I don't have much familiarity with these guys but I appreciated the album. A decent mix of rock and hip-hop. I'd listen to more.
3
Jun 06 2025
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Red Dirt Girl
Emmylou Harris
A sweet, pleasant, chill record to listen to. The title track was the standout. Nothing here that was super engaging but altogether I liked it.
3
Jun 07 2025
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Scott 4
Scott Walker
There’s a reason why Scott Walker is not a household name in this day & age
2
Jun 08 2025
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Tellin’ Stories
The Charlatans
I felt drawn to the heavily-compressed acoustic guitar on You're A Big Girl Now. Aside from that, it was a pretty standard example of Britpop.
3
Jun 09 2025
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Eagles
Eagles
Quality stuff. Not The Eagles' best output but it's fantastic nonetheless. I enjoyed the array of non-radio tracks which I don't hear quite so often.
4
Jun 10 2025
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Peace Sells...But Who's Buying
Megadeth
I'm absolutely not in the mood for this shit today
1
Jun 11 2025
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Like Water For Chocolate
Common
Last time a Common album came up I praised it for being wholesome. I can’t say the same for this one. Pure trash, just like 98% of all other music of this trashy genre.
1
Jun 12 2025
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Ctrl
SZA
This is my third 1★ rating in a row. What an awful week this has been. This is garbage! Go away!
1
Jun 13 2025
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Surf's Up
The Beach Boys
This was a very nice moment in this project from the dev, given the recent news of Brian's passing. I'd never heard a single track from Surf's Up before so it was a completely fresh spin, but I appreciated it.
3
Jun 14 2025
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Crooked Rain Crooked Rain
Pavement
Basic alt rock, nothing interesting.
2
Jun 15 2025
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I'm Your Man
Leonard Cohen
Not bad for Leonard Cohen. I’m not the biggest fan of his but I got through this album ok. I was familiar with Everybody Knows, it’s my favourite track from the bunch. Although, I’m Your Man had a creepy vibe to it, it turned me off a bit. Scoring it snack bang in the middle.
3
Jun 16 2025
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Go Girl Crazy
The Dictators
I guess it was supposed to be satirical but it’s merely immature and obnoxious.
2
Jun 17 2025
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Savane
Ali Farka Touré
An enjoyable album and a nice discovery, I can’t say I know much African blues. I really liked this vibe. Would listen again.
4